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2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Zoe Schiffer

A viral text warns taking Advil could make COVID-19 symptoms worse, but experts say it’s unfounded

A viral coronavirus rumor says taking ibuprofen, which is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Advil, could make COVID-19 symptoms worse. The message is spreading through text messages and over Twitter, and it claims to be coming from a Vienna laboratory studying COVID-19. The problem is: there isn’t any evidence that it’s true. There hasn’t been enough research on ibuprofen in COVID-19 patients to determine whether it is actually harmful. An alternative is acetaminophen, which is marketed by Johnson & Johnson as Tylenol. But not everyone can take it because it can make some liver conditions worse. “Vast majority of people who died had ibuprofen / Advil in their system so do not take it!!” the message reads. “Those who recovered did not take ibuprofen so if you have symptoms, take Paracetamol only!!! Looks like this virus thrives on ibuprofen so don’t do it and tell everyone you can!!!” Just got this message sent to me from a friend. I have no idea if it's true or accurate. Maybe if we retweet it and pass it around we can get some comments and possibly some clarity. Or maybe it was released by the makers of Tylenol. pic.twitter.com/uFEncIQlZB The telltale signs of misinformation are everywhere in the Advil rumor. Many of the messages claim to be coming from someone’s friend or sister who is a nurse at New York University. She seems to have firsthand information about the mysterious Vienna laboratory. The vague attribution makes the information difficult to track. The message also ends with a plea: tell everyone you know! Pass it on! This type of urgent request exploits the need for concrete information and the desire we have to protect one another. Like most effective misinformation, the message mixes bits of truth with outright lies. For instance, France’s health minister tweeted out a warning that “taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, cortisone, ...) could be a factor in worsening the infection,” wrote Stephanie M. Lee from BuzzFeed. The warning echoed a letter written to The Lancet, a medical journal, on March 11th. There, researchers claimed that taking certain drugs — including ibuprofen — could make people more susceptible to the virus. But experts refuted these claims. Michele Barry, director of the Center for Innovation in Global Health at Stanford University, told The New York Times that there was simply no data to back them up. Garret FitzGerald from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, told the Times, “It’s all anecdote, and fake news off the anecdotes. That’s the world we are living in.” The rumor gained enough traction, however, that GlaxoSmithKline issued a statement refuting the claims. The statement now pops up if you go to the website for Advil. “We understand the use of steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) products, including ibuprofen, for the alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms has come into question,” the statement reads. “As a leader in the OTC pain category, GSK Consumer Healthcare is not aware of any scientific evidence that directly links worse outcomes in patients suffering from COVID-19 infection with the use of ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatories.” The World Health Organization (WHO) told The Verge that it is not aware of any studies showing ibuprofen could be dangerous for COVID-19 patients. “We are consulting with physicians treating COVID-19 patients and are not aware of reports of any negative effects of ibuprofen, beyond the usual known side effects that limit its use in certain populations,” a WHO spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “Based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197188/advil-coronavirus-symptoms-covid-19-text-misinformation-twitter

Policy

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Joshua Rivera

Crip Camp review: in America nothing improves without massive sacrifice

In Crip Camp, the revolution begins at summer camp. The Netflix documentary, now available to stream, follows several young people who attended Camp Jened, a New York campground for people with disabilities. That alone is a wonderful subject: a story about what happens when a group of teens neglected by society finally discovers a place where they are treated as complete, whole people. But Crip Camp is going somewhere incredible, and a story about how a camp changed a group of teenagers’ lives becomes a story about how the country was changed for the better. Directed by Nicole Newnham and Jim Lebrecht — the latter attended Camp Jened, and his story serves as one of Crip Camp’s focal points — the film begins in 1971 with Lebrecht and others attending the camp for the first time. Remarkably, the people at Camp Jened had a camera running and regularly interviewed the campers about everything: how they’re treated by the outside world, the privacy they long for that they are not afforded, the crushes they have. This is juxtaposed with present-day interview footage where attendees also reflect on that time in a place where they spoke with their own voices about their own desires and were listened to. However, Camp Jened is only half the story, as Crip Camp follows Lebrecht and his fellow campers back into the real world where, radicalized by the compassion of their experience, they become the activists that became integral in the disability rights movement. The documentary culminates with their participation in 1977’s 504 Sit-In, a protest that led to significant changes in the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, a precursor to the modern-day Americans with Disabilities Act. (The difficulty of a sit-in by people with disabilities is not glossed over.) Calling Crip Camp a feel-good movie feels contrary to its purpose, even as it is tremendously inspiring. It’s more of a reminder that something that seems impossible can be done; it just takes an immense, downright unfair amount of work to will it into existence and support from others who may not be impacted but benefit from a more equitable society because everyone does. In one memorable anecdote, the Black Panthers arrive during the 26-day 504 Sit-In to provide meals to the protestors at no cost, simply out of solidarity. In another, one lawmaker refused to listen to protestors’ concerns during a hearing, locking himself in his office until he was forced to return. The problem, as one of the film’s few non-disabled interviewees notes, is not with people living with disabilities, but people without them — people who refuse to listen to those with disabilities or build a world that accommodates them, who turn a blind eye to their abuse, or limit their opportunities. The revolution is for the ablest world the majority made, and it’s cruel that changing it requires so much from those who are already vulnerable, while those not directly affected often just look on. Crip Camp is refreshingly honest about the social change it chronicles, noting that laws are frequently undercut and only remain effective as long as the populace is vigilant. It’s a message that feels like a vital one during our current moment of socioeconomic upheaval where nearly every marginalized group feels under assault in some way, and what little legal protections each had are unceremoniously stripped away on a weekly basis. But a vital reason why any of Crip Camp’s big-picture scope works at all is because it is so warm and ebullient in its first half, letting the young men and women who found their way to the now-closed Camp Jened — many of whom are no longer living — speak for themselves. It lets them talk about being somewhere they were expected to play ball instead of sitting the game out, where they were able to talk about normal teen things like being horny, and better understand the cracks in the outside world that threaten to swallow them up. It shows what can happen when you finally are in a room of people like yourself who share your struggles and are given the room to tell each other the truth and the freedom to dream of doing something about it.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197088/crip-camp-review-netflix-documentary

Movie Review

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Justine Calma

The COVID-19 pandemic is no excuse to crack down on immigration

To get myself through the pandemic, I’ve been summoning everything I’ve learned about surviving in a new world as an immigrant. I left the Philippines as a kid to join my parents in California. “Walang tiyaga, walang nilaga,” my grandma used to say. Strictly translated, it means “no perseverance, no stew.” That lesson on weathering hardship recently took on new meaning. I’m not just worried about the virus. Reports of hate crimes against Asian Americans are up, while President Trump continues to characterize the disease as “foreign” and “Chinese.” Some of my friends are worried about heading outside not only because of the virus, but because of the racist slurs hurled at them. Went to take out trash.Was talking on phone in Chinese. Man walked by on sidewalk & in interest of social distancing,I said,"sorry, go ahead." "FUCKING CHINESE,"he yelled loud enough I could hear him over aide's voice on phone. I turned to look at him to make sure I heard right Filipinos, like other immigrant groups, tend to be overrepresented in jobs on the front lines of the pandemic. The Philippines sends more nurses abroad to staff the world’s health care systems than any other country in the world. Filipinos also make up a third of all cruise ship workers and, in China, are the largest group of migrant domestic workers. The service industry that delivers food to our doorsteps relies on immigrants, too. Many of the neighborhoods where people of color and immigrants live have more air pollution, which can be deadly during outbreaks of a virus that affects the lungs. For instance, Latinos are over 51 percent more likely to live in counties with dangerous levels of smog than non-Hispanic whites. That can lead to chronic conditions such as asthma that make someone especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Pollution has also been linked to heart disease; people with serious heart conditions are also at higher risk of getting seriously sick from COVID-19. There’s more. Some immigrants are afraid to seek care because they are worried that they will endanger their own immigration status by doing so. Under a new rule, a person who uses public benefits like Medicaid can be denied a green card. This doesn’t apply to permanent residents renewing their green cards, but misinformation is already stopping people from getting care. After pushback from Democrats, US Citizenship and Immigration Services said it wouldn’t penalize green card applicants for getting treatment or testing for COVID-19. ICE announced on the 18th that it won’t “carry out enforcement operations at or near” health care facilities; advocates and doctors worried that the fear of getting swept up by ICE might keep people from getting care. But that might not matter if people are too afraid to see a doctor. With any disaster, some people are hit first and worst. There are parallels between the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental injustice, says Mustafa Santiago Ali, who led the EPA’s efforts to address environmental racism and injustice under the Obama administration. In both crises, the people facing the greatest risk are often people of color, working class families, and the poor. “More of our folks are going to die disproportionately,” he says, meaning black, brown, and indigenous communities. The people calling the shots don’t come from the places that are most affected — so they often don’t understand what’s happening on the ground. They might even make decisions that make things worse. Now, the Trump administration is using the pandemic as an excuse to push hard-line immigration policies it would have pursued anyway, says Sarah Pierce, an analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. “[They’re] really taking advantage of this moment, even though it’s a questionable decision to pour resources into that,” she says. “Maybe we should be concentrating more on finding masks for doctors and nurses than we should be on kicking asylum seekers out of the country.” Pierce thinks more people will lose their work authorization or violate their visas because US Citizenship and Immigration Services has shut down its offices and suspended in-person meetings that immigrants must attend to keep their legal status. That means more people could face deportation or detention in facilities that, like prisons, can become hotbeds for disease. While immigrant rights advocates are calling for detention centers to shut down, the Trump administration is using them to fearmonger. People in detention could pass the virus on to customs and border patrol officers, and “even the United States population as a whole,” US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said in a March 20th briefing on the pandemic. “Migrants in [detention] facilities are drawing on an American healthcare system that is already fighting the coronavirus pandemic,” he added. That day, the administration announced it would begin to remove anyone crossing US borders illegally, including people seeking asylum, immediately without due process. I’ve heard this crap my whole life: that immigrants take more than we give — whether that’s overburdening health care, snatching jobs, or whatever — so let’s send them away. Racism and xenophobia has always threatened my existence in this country. That “us versus them” flavor of fearmongering is common in epidemics. Italian immigrants were scapegoats for the New York City polio epidemics in 1907 and 1916. Cholera was called “Asiatic cholera” in the 1800s and tuberculosis called the “Jewish disease” in the 1900s. Thousands of people died from AIDS before the Reagan administration began taking the epidemic seriously in the mid 1980s, after making callous jokes about the disease referred to as “gay plague.” “With this new virus, something was triggered that is always latently there, under the surface, which is this fear of the other and the idea that bad things come from elsewhere,” York University professor Roger Keil told The Verge in February. The virus is already spreading in the US; it’s useless to scapegoat migrants at our borders when we now have more cases of COVID-19 than any other country in the world. The Latin American country with the most cases of COVID-19 is Brazil, which had 2,433 cases on the 26th — just over a tenth of the number of infections in New York City alone. It seems likelier that migrants in detention centers will get sick here. And deporting people who were infected in the US back to other countries means spreading the disease further. Shifting blame onto others does nothing to keep Americans, including myself, safe. It’s a waste of energy when every moment matters in our response to the crisis. I’ve watched New York City’s local officials plead daily for ventilators and federal assistance. As someone who calls this place home, this is terrifying. My mom and many of my aunties are nurses in the US; they need more masks and medical supplies to keep people healthy. Division only makes dealing with disaster harder, both Ali and Pierce told me. Another lesson I’ve learned from my community is that the only way we beat the odds is when we show up for each other. My aunt, uncles, cousins, and grandmothers stepped in to take care of me in the Philippines until my parents were on solid footing and could send for me. Together, they got me here to where I am today. The only way to get through this crisis will be to do so together, too. My mom and aunties will take care of you when you get sick. Make sure to take care of them, too. They’re immigrants, and we’ll need them.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21196100/immigration-borders-covid-19-coronavirus

Editorial

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Casey Newton

The worst Amazon shipping delays could still be ahead of us

The Interface is a daily column and newsletter about the intersection of social media and democracy. Subscribe here. As of Thursday, the United States now has 81,578 cases of COVID-19 — more than than any other country in the world. The disaster is unfolding. New Jersey has formed a panel to make decisions about which patients will be granted one of the nation’s insufficient supply of ventilators, and which will be left to a likely death. The almost unrelentingly bad news has at least managed to persuade a good number of Americans to stay home, flatten the curve of infection, and attempt to ride out this portion of our public-health crisis in relative safety. As a resident for the past decade, I felt a surge of civic pride watching this drone footage of the streets of San Francisco from earlier this week. Our streets are as they should be at this moment: all but deserted. But the thing about locking yourself inside is that you are regularly confronted with the dilemma of how to acquire food and other essential supplies. You can go to a grocery store, and risk catching or spreading the disease, or you can order delivery. And for people in a variety of circumstances, delivery may be the best or only viable option. And it’s for that reason that I’ve spent so much of this week thinking about Amazon. Not just because it’s the tech giant that has become synonymous with the rapid delivery of essential items — but also because, as a giant, Amazon would seem to be best equipped to handle both the severe spike in demand and the incredible logistical challenges of managing a workforce that itself may be at heightened risk of getting sick. Amazon’s struggles, in other words, may portend worse things to come for the delivery economy at large. And the news this week suggests that Amazon is struggling mightily. First, there are now daily stories about COVID-19 outbreaks in Amazon shipping facilities. On Wednesday, BuzzFeed’s Caroline O’Donovan reported that a fulfillment center in New Jersey was the latest of the company’s sites to have a worker diagnosed. “Other Amazon facilities with confirmed cases are in Kentucky, Staten Island, Queens, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Oklahoma, and California,” she wrote. It’s not a scandal that a worker was diagnosed — COVID-19 is easily spread, and those affected often do not show symptoms for days after they become contagious. But workers are raising valid questions about Amazon’s duty to inform them of their colleagues’ illness. Here’s Josh Dzieza in The Verge: Six workers at the sortation center DTW5 say they only learned of the case from coworkers or after McIntosh-Butler, frustrated with the lack of transparency, tipped off Local Four News, which received confirmation from Amazon Tuesday. In the information vacuum, they are left wondering whether they’ve been exposed and whether it’s safe to continue working. Last week, Johnson’s son, who has asthma, began having trouble breathing. This week, her daughter developed a dry cough. She hasn’t been able to get either tested, and she worries she was an unknowing vector for COVID-19. She decided to stay home, without pay, to care for her children and avoid potentially spreading the virus. “They should have closed that building down and sanitized that whole building before they let us come in,” Johnson tells The Verge. “And they should have given everyone a robocall, because you never know if you bumped into that person in the bathroom or anything, because not only are you putting your life at risk, you’re putting the people that you come in contact with’s lives at stake.” Workers are at least getting robocalls at affected Amazon-owned Whole Foods locations, Lauren Kaori Gurley reported at Vice. But the locations remain open, and workers can only get paid sick leave if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in quarantine — prompting many workers who live paycheck to paycheck to come in to work sick, Gurley writes. Senators are now asking good questions about Amazon worker safety. But the challenge of maintaining supply lines when delivery workers are getting sick will only grow more difficult. Meanwhile, Amazon’s basic delivery service is overwhelmed. When I looked this afternoon, grocery deliveries were unavailable in San Francisco for today and tomorrow. Presumably they will be unavailable on Sunday as well, unless — like my colleague Jason Del Rey — I set my alarm clock for midnight and manage to nab one of the precious available slots. (Jason noted in a subsequent tweet that this tactic did not work for him.) All of this is on top of delays for non-grocery goods until the end of April or later. (In a real thinking-face-emoji situation, Amazon-branded devices, such as the Kindle and the Echo, continue to ship immediately.) Tim Wu highlights the danger here in an op-ed in the New York Times about what he calls “the touchless economy.” Among the touchless economy’s key vulnerabilities are its delivery lines. We usually think about “supply lines” as the connections between producers and retailers — like the delivery of produce from farms to supermarkets. But the coronavirus shutdown has brought into special focus the role played by the warehouse workers at Amazon, the drivers for UPS, FedEx and the United States Post Office and the many delivery workers for local restaurants and grocery stores. These are the people who translate clicks into economic consequence. Most of those jobs aren’t high paying, and they now have elevated risks of infection. Protests by Amazon warehouse workers in France and Italy may portend our future; there are reports of postal employees working in close quarters and of infected delivery workers pressured to remain on the job to meet demand. There’s a danger of infection spreading to entire companies and some (albeit relatively low) risk of infecting package recipients. If the number of COVID-19 cases weren’t surging exponentially in the United States, I might have more confidence that the disruptions we’ve seen to Amazon’s service in the near term were were unlikely to worsen. As it is, though, I think we ought to consider the possibility that more cogs in our vital delivery networks may break in the coming weeks. As Wu put it: “For now at least, the touchless economy is holding firm. But now is the right time to be thinking about its weak spots. Because if it falters, we could end up thinking of our current chaos as the good old days.” Today in news that could affect public perception of the big tech platforms. ⬆️Trending up: Airbnb launched a new initiative to provide housing to 100,000 medical workers and COVID-19 responders. If hosts can’t list their houses for free, the company is subsidizing the cost. ⬆️Trending up: Netflix launched a $100 million relief fund to help members of the creative community who have been laid-off or left unable to earn an income due to the coronavirus crisis. ⬆️Trending up: WeChat’s Chinese parent company Tencent announced a $100 million coronavirus fund. The money will go toward medical supplies for hospitals and front-line healthcare workers. ⭐Americans are turning to crowdfunded campaigns on GoFundMe to cover coronavirus-related costs. But the amount of need — mainly coming from business that have been forced to shut down — means most campaigns aren’t meeting their goals. Nathaniel Popper and Taylor Lorenz at The New York Times have the story: Organizers looking for visibility have begun to aggregate GoFundMes into Google documents and Twitter lists based on subcategory and geography. One Google Doc contains a list of more than 540 GoFundMe pages for Chicago businesses. Other documents focus on artists, and contractors in the technology sector. As GoFundMe pages proliferate, however, some campaigns have an advantage. One GoFundMe page created on Tuesday by Flexport, a logistics start-up, has already raised more than $3.3 million to distribute supplies to medical professionals. Its success can be traced at least in part to public support from celebrities including Edward Norton, Pharrell Williams and Kim Kardashian West, who have shared the GoFundMe link with their tens of millions of followers. The internet is slowing down as more people spend more time online during the coronavirus pandemic. The stress on internet networks has slowed the speed of downloading websites and apps. Can confirm! (Cecilia Kang, Davey Alba and Adam Satariano / The New York Times) The Slovak government is set to pass a new law allowing state institutions to use location data from peoples’ phone to track whether those in quarantine stay isolated. (Reuters) An app in the UK called the C-19 COVID Symptom Tracker is asking people to self-report symptoms in an effort to gather more detail about where the virus is spreading. The app was downloaded 750,000 times in the first 24 hours when it launched. (Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch) Facebook and Google could lose over $44 billion in ad revenue in 2020 as marketing budgets dry up due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Todd Spangler / Variety) Kickstarter is cracking down on projects that claim to provide cures or treatments for the novel coronavirus. The platform also doesn’t allow masks that claim to block the spread of the disease. (Kickstarter) More people are turning to Patreon — a platform that allows fans to send direct payments to creators — as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the economy. Those who were already using the platform are seeing their earnings increase, the company said in a blog post. (Patreon) Downloads of Zoom, Houseparty, and Discord have exploded since the coronavirus started to spread. (Chris O’Brien / VentureBeat) A group of engineers are organizing renegade design projects over Slack to tackle common problems associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Already, one initiative has already delivered much-needed protective equipment to some hospitals. (Rebecca Heilweil / Recode) Coronavirus isolation can be tough on the body and mind. Experts suggest exercising and creating as much routine as possible to stave off anxiety and depression. (Emma Grey Ellis / Wired) Coronavirus isolation has led to a bread-baking boom. The number of people searching “bread” hit an all-time high this week, according to Google Trends. (Meghan McCarron / Eater) Yoga studios and instructors have moved online to connect with clients and stay afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic. Yoga instructors say it’s a nice reprieve for students, giving them a chance to de-stress and maintain a degree of normalcy. (Jacob Kastrenakes / The Verge) Here’s what kids have to say about remote learning on Zoom. Includes the phrase “I like to see my friends on Zoomy.” (Yasmin Tayag / OneZero) Total cases in the US: 81,578 Total deaths in the US: 1,180 Reported cases in California: 3,786 Reported cases in New York: 37,258 Reported cases in Washington: 2,649 Data from The New York Times. ⭐Evelyn Douek expertly lays out the tradeoffs tech companies are making by quickly cracking down on coronavirus misinformation while relying on AI for much of this content moderation: Content moderation during this pandemic is an exaggerated version of content moderation all the time: Platforms are balancing various interests when they write their rules, and they are making consequential choices about error preference when they enforce them. Platforms’ uncharacteristic (if still too limited) transparency around these choices in the context of the pandemic should be welcomed—but needs to be expanded on in the future. These kinds of choices should not be made in the shadows. Most importantly, platforms should be forced to earn the kudos they are getting for their handling of the pandemic by preserving data about what they are doing and opening it up for research instead of selective disclosure. A group of 33 attorneys general are calling on Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Walmart and Craigslist to prevent price gouging on coronavirus-related products. They want the companies to be more proactive rather than “playing whack-a-mole.” I’m sorry but all content moderation is, on some level, whack-a-mole. (Lauren Feiner and Scott Zamost / CNBC) Investors were accidentally buying shares in Zoom Technologies instead of Zoom Video Communications Inc., leading the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend trading in Zoom Technologies. The company’s stock had more than tripled over the past five weeks. (Luke McGrath / Bloomberg) Zoom’s iOS app is sending some analytics data to Facebook, even if the user doesn’t have a Facebook account. The company’s privacy policy doesn’t make that clear. (Joseph Cox / Vice) Stuff to occupy you online during the quarantine. Read everyone’s favorite Twitter thread of the week — an investigation into how Triscuits got their name. Get really into beans, with help from the founder of bean-head favorite Rancho Gordo. Listen to this amazing virtual performance of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love” by students from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Berklee College of Music. Take a drone tour of San Fransisco, which has looked like a ghost town since the shelter order took effect. Go to Dance Church Sunday morning. Just in case you need it, here’s a dog doing yoga in Italian. You’re welcome. pic.twitter.com/zTKp3MbI8e I now understand why retired people eat dinner so early. If there's a baby boom in 9 months, it'll consist entirely of first-born children. it’s just like the flu. remember how every year around flu season the economy gets shut down and medical professionals take to social media to beg for supplies My Quarantine Routine! this is just a general guide for myself based on my goals & what works for me! i’m allowing a lot flexibility with myself & not pressuring myself to complete everything. this is just to give me structure & a sense of control & stability. pic.twitter.com/TL3KJGB0y0 Send us tips, comments, questions, and your solutions to the touchless economy: [email protected] and [email protected].

https://www.theverge.com/interface/2020/3/27/21195547/amazon-shipping-delays-covid-19-coronavirus-workers

The Interface

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Jon Porter

Google ups Duo group calling limit from eight to twelve

Google is increasing the maximum number of people who can participate in a Duo call from eight to twelve, the company’s senior director of product management announced on Twitter. “We recognize group calling is particularly critical right now,” Sanaz Ahari Lemelson wrote. “We have increased group calling from 8 participants to 12 effective today.” The announcement did not mention whether the increase was permanent. Duo has supported eight-person video calls since May of last year when Google doubled the maximum amount of participants from four to eight. The new 12-person limit compares to eight for Houseparty, 32 for Apple’s FaceTime, 50 for Skype and Messenger, and 100 for Zoom’s free tier. We are grateful that Duo is helping users see their loved ones all around the world. We recognize group calling is particularly critical right now. We have increased group calling from 8 participants to 12 effective today. More to come. #AllInThisTogether #COVID19 If you need to chat with a larger number of people and you definitely need to use a Google service to do so, then you’ll need to use Google’s enterprise-focused Hangouts Meet service. Although it’s exclusive to G Suite business users, Google also recently increased the maximum number of participants to 250 for G Suite and G Suite for Education subscribers. Previously, Google charged $13 extra per user for this increased limit as part of its “enterprise” tier.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21196780/google-duo-group-video-call-limit-increase-coronavirus-covid-19

Google

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Dieter Bohn

Google aims to donate more than 2 million face masks to the CDC

Google CEO Sundar Pichai says that Google will work with a partner company, Magid Glove & Safety, to produce and donate “2-3 million face masks in the coming weeks,” according to a blog post. Once produced, Google will donate them to the CDC Foundation. The face masks are part of a larger set of initiatives Google is taking to donate both money and services to combat the coronavirus pandemic. It is granting over $250 million in “ad grants” to NGOs like the World Health Organization and “more than 100 government agencies globally.” Google also said that employees from various Alphabet divisions will be offering “engineering, supply chain and heathcare expertise” to PPE manufacturers to help them make and distribute ventilators. It’s also creating a “$200 million investment fund” that it intends to set aside for loans that will go to small businesses. A Google spokesperson tells The Verge that “In the US, Google will provide low-interest loans to small businesses through Opportunity Fund Network and other community development financial institutions (“CDFIs”).” Google is also giving away Google ad credits to small and medium businesses that it says will amount to $340 million that “can be used at any point until the end of 2020.” Ad budgets are often the first thing to go when a business is under stress, so the grants will likely help. Finally, there are various other smaller efforts, like a $10,000 match for employee donations and Google Cloud credits for academic institutions. The move comes just after Apple released an app and website devoted to providing COVID-19 and coronavirus information, including a screener quiz. One thing Google is not doing is updating its informational COVID-19 site to include screener questions or directions to local testing facilities. The new coronavirus is spreading through the US, and several states have made emergency declarations. The World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic. Here are the basics: Google, of course, was at the center of a week-long controversy over whether it would launch a website that would live up to President Donald Trump’s original promise on March 13th. He had said that Google’s site would allow you to answer screener questions and then be directed to a local drive-through testing facility. That was not true and is not true today. After a delay, Google launched an informational site on March 21st, but it did not have a screener quiz or a way to find testing. Instead, it linked to general coronavirus information and local state resources. Google’s sister company, Verily, did launch a site that hewed a little closer to the original promise, but it was limited to the Bay Area and was filled up so quickly that it stopped offering services within 24 hours of its launch. It has since expanded to Riverside and Sacramento counties.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197085/google-covid-19-coronavirus-ad-grants-loans-face-masks-cdc

Google

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Kim Lyons

Instacart workers will walk out on Monday for better sick leave and virus protections

Instacart shoppers are organizing a work stoppage Monday because they say the grocery delivery company has not done enough to ensure their safety during the coronavirus outbreak, as first reported by Vice. The workers say they will refuse to accept new orders through the Instacart app until the company adds a $5-per-order hazard payment, expands its paid sick leave policy, and provides them with protective gear including hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. In an interview with The Verge, lead organizer Vanessa Bain said the group is not only trying to protect existing Instacart shoppers, but new shoppers as well. It’s not the first time workers have staged a walkout, but she says the stakes are much higher now. “The mood is a lot more somber,” says Bain, who has been an Instacart shopper for four years. “Usually it’s high energy and people are really enthusiastic. Right now people are doing this literally to save their lives.” Instacart announced plans earlier this week to hire an additional 300,000 workers to keep up with exploding demand for grocery delivery. “The last few weeks have been the busiest in Instacart’s history,” Instacart founder and CEO Apoorva Mehta said in a statement. Adding that many new workers is “predatory,” Bain says, with many people suddenly unemployed due to coronavirus shutdowns who are desperate for work, but may not be prepared for the rigors of the job. “This work requires a high degree of skill,” she says. “People like myself, who are veteran shoppers will tell you the past three weeks have been the most overwhelming, stress-inducing weeks we’ve ever seen. It’s a really hard job right now. It’s unsafe for the existing workforce, but instead of prioritizing health and safety they’re bringing in more people.” The company announced on March 9th it was giving 14 days of paid leave to any part-time workers or shoppers who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been put into mandatory quarantine. Previously, that leave was only available through April 8th, but the company said in a new blog post today that it would extend the benefit through May 8th. “The health and safety of our entire community — shoppers, customers, and employees — is our first priority,” an Instacart spokesperson said in an email to The Verge. “Our goal is to offer a safe and flexible earnings opportunity to shoppers, while also proactively taking the appropriate precautionary measures to operate safely.” In addition to extending the sick leave benefit, Instacart introduced a bonus program, which will be based on hours worked between March 15th and April 15th and range from $25 to $200, and additional promotions for full-service shoppers to earn more based on regional demand. It’s also implementing contactless alcohol delivery and added a “safety incidents” section to its app where shoppers can report problems. Bain said the sick leave policy requiring a positive coronavirus test was insufficient. Because tests are not widely available and many don’t have health insurance, lots of shoppers will likely continue to work even if they’re symptomatic. Bain added that she and fellow organizers have been “screaming into the void” about the company’s lack of sick leave or paid time off. They’ve previously held four walkout events to protest the conditions. But she says the idea of working conditions in the gig economy was sort of abstract for a lot of people until the coronavirus made it plain how the lack of protections could affect everyone. “I think a broader section of society cares about this right now,” she says. “Not only are they thinking ‘is this safe for the worker,’ but now they realize ‘hey that worker is putting their hands on things that are coming into my house.’ They’re much more tuned into it now: If an Instacart shopper goes to work sick, they can get other people sick.” Bain herself had to stop taking orders for Instacart because she lives with her elderly grandparents and didn’t want to put them at risk. “We’re really in a situation where the people who can least afford it are exposing themselves all day long to grocery stores, some of the most dangerous places to be in the country.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197078/instacart-workers-protest-coronavirus-protections-date-sick-leave

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Julia Alexander

“With me” videos on YouTube are seeing huge spikes in viewership as people stay home

YouTube creators are performing everyday tasks or taking on crafts and activities that people can do at home because everyone is stuck indoors right now. The genre has boomed as a result of social distancing. Daily views of videos with “#withme” in the title have increased by 600 percent since March 15th compared to the rest of the year, according to YouTube. Uploads of videos from creators with “at home” in the title have also increased by more than 590 percent. Of those two types of videos, titles like “cook with me,” “work out at home” and “home office” have seen their average daily views grow by 100, 200, and 130 percent respectively. YouTube has asked people to stay home (#StayHome) and encouraged creators to participate in a new “#WithMe” campaign that started today. A number of creators have already started asking viewers to stay home and continue to socially distance themselves as the world tries to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The company has also curated a number of “with me” playlists for people looking to exercise, cook, clean, study, and more through YouTube. “It’s just me and you guys today,” Lauren Riihimaki of the popular LaurDIY channel says in a recent video where she makes tie-dye clothes using tools she found around the house while social distancing. “It’s just me, you, a monitor and two cameras — one wide, and a close up shot so you can see what I’m doing. It really does feel like old times.” It’s unclear if these videos are seeing a surge in revenue. The Verge asked YouTube for more information, and will update if there is a response. Hank Green, one of the longest running YouTube creators on the platform, tweeted on March 22nd that while viewership across all channels has increased about five percent over the last week, advertising revenue is down 30 percent. Other creators are worried their advertising revenue will also fall, but are looking into doing other forms of videos to try and continue entertaining fans. “With me” videos first started appearing on YouTube in 2007, but didn’t really become a genre unto its own until 2010. People getting ready for school or work would upload their routine, including choosing outfits to wear or making breakfast. The idea was that people at home could do their own morning routine while watching their favorite creators. By 2014, “with me” videos focusing on productivity started to emerge, including “study with me” and “journal with me.” By last year, “paint with me” became the most popular creative-focused version of the format. YouTube’s culture team has described “with me” videos as ways of making lonely tasks “opportunities for connection.” That may explain why there’s a boom in views and uploads right now. People stuck at home are looking for new ways to entertain themselves, while YouTubers who might normally film outside their homes are looking for interesting and fun ways to continue providing entertainment to subscribers.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197642/youtube-with-me-style-videos-views-coronavirus-cook-workout-study-home-beauty

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Taylor Lyles

Apple reportedly says coating on the MacBook Air’s display can smudge

MacBook Air models with Retina displays may have issues with their anti-reflective coating, causing the laptop’s screen to look blotchy, according to MacRumors, which obtained an internal memo sent by Apple to its Authorized Service Providers. The anti-reflective coating, used to help cut out glare and make the display easier to see, is prone to wearing off due to pressure from the laptop’s keys and trackpad or the use of cleaning solutions, according to MacRumors. MacBook Airs with Retina displays launched back in October 2018. Apple previously said that other Retina display laptops may experience the display issue, too. Those include models of the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro and the discontinued 12-inch MacBooks released between early 2015 and 2017. Apple quietly began repairing some laptops with worn-out displays for free in 2015. However, MacRumors notes that Apple did not say in this new memo if it will offer free repairs for eligible Retina display MacBook Air models. So if you were to bring your affected MacBook Air to an Apple Store, you might need to pay to have it fixed. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, Apple Stores outside of China and numerous Apple Authorized Service Providers are currently closed. The Verge has reached out to Apple for comment.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21196794/apple-macbook-air-screen-smudging-anti-glare-coating

Apple

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Andrew J. Hawkins

Now is a great time to buy an e-bike

COVID-19 has completely upended how we get around on a daily basis. Public transportation is seen as too risky. Shared bikes and scooters probably are, too. You’re most likely staying at home or sheltering in place, so you don’t have too far to travel to run errands or get some fresh air. Walking is fine — for a while. Eventually, there’s going to be diminishing returns, especially as you wear out all of your available routes. You could haul out your old bike for a ride — and you should — but why not go electric? Let’s look at all of the reasons why e-bikes are really the best mode of transportation for our new pandemic way of life and why this is a very good time to get one for yourself (if you’re fortunate enough to still be employed). Social distancing: Experts advise that you stay at least six feet away from other people to minimize the spread of infection. It’s a blunt response to the immediate crisis that will last weeks, likely months, and possibly longer if there’s a resurgence before a vaccine can be found. Cycling is an excellent way to adhere to social distancing guidelines — as long as you’re riding alone. Racing is an excellent group activity, but it’s probably not the best type of cycling for the present moment, so leave the spandex at home. An e-bike, with its varying levels of assist, is the perfect way to get outside, feel the breeze on your skin, watch the pavement rush past underneath, and still get that shot of endorphins in your brain without expending too much effort. An e-bike also lets you ride farther to escape the congested hearts of most cities where crowded bike paths, especially in Europe, can still pose a risk. Most e-bikes will travel at least 25 miles (40 kilometers), with 50-plus miles (80-plus kilometers) possible when fitted with bigger batteries or when dialing back the assisted power level. And if the battery does die, you can often pop in a spare or pedal home for some much-needed exercise. Owned, not shared: The shared scooter and bike startups thought they could stick it out during the pandemic, but it appears many are scaling back as ridership fizzles and operations become more difficult and expensive. Infectious disease experts say the risk of contracting coronavirus from a shared vehicle is low even though early studies show it hanging about on surfaces like plastic and stainless steel for a few days. Naturally, many aren’t willing to take the risk. In a recent video conference, micromobility analyst Horace Dediu said the novel coronavirus could accelerate the shift from shared vehicles to personally owned ones. We tend to agree. Car traffic is plummeting: People are staying at home and avoiding unnecessary travel, demand for ride-hailing is fizzling, and the streets have never been more inviting for cyclists. INRIX says road traffic is down 30 percent in the US cities it tracks. And it could go even lower: Italy, the first nation to institute a coronavirus “lockdown,” is seeing a 65 percent drop overall and 70 percent in personal vehicle travel. Of course, this doesn’t mean it’s clear sailing for cycling. Cyclist injuries in New York City were up 43 percent between March 9th and March 15th, according to the NYPD. Cities need to do more to protect cycling by banning car traffic from some streets and expanding their bike lane network. But for experienced cyclists or those who live in places with a robust cycling infrastructure, the time has never been better. Rules are relaxing: New York City is one of the few cities worldwide to prohibit the use of e-bikes, but the pandemic is bringing some much-needed relief. After encouraging New Yorkers to avoid public transportation during the crisis, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was suspending the police department’s ongoing crackdown on immigrant food delivery workers who use e-bikes. It will likely be very difficult for the city to resume enforcement of its ban after the pandemic subsides, so why not take advantage of this new permissive culture and buy an e-bike. The weather is improving: In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s springtime in the Northern Hemisphere. What better excuse do you need to get off your ass and into the saddle for a ride? Regular bikes are motivating in their own right, but e-bikes are the perfect all-weather-but-especially-springtime vehicles, allowing you to haul picnic or hiking gear over long distances without breaking a sweat (unless you want to). A boost for small businesses and health workers: With many restaurants and small businesses turning to delivery to keep things afloat during the pandemic, the need for a fleet of efficient, fast-moving delivery workers is greater than ever. There is likely more supply than demand at the moment, with many gig workers turning to delivery to help offset losses in other jobs. But there’s no question that bikes, and especially e-bikes, are the best way to transport packages and food deliveries to customers. Some cities are even recognizing that they have a role to play to encourage more delivery workers to use bikes: New York City’s comptroller released a report recently encouraging the city to subsidize “frontline workers” who may be interested in purchasing e-bikes to help speed up their work. In the UK and parts of the US, bicycle shops selling electric and standard bikes have been granted “essential” status during the COVID-19 lockdown. In London, Brompton bicycles is loaning 200 of its folding bikes to members of the National Health Service (NHS), while many shops across the country are offering NHS staff free repairs. In Scotland, charity organization Forth Environment Link is providing free e-bike loaners to dozens of NHS staff so that they can move between hospital sites and home without using public transportation. Good e-bikes at all price ranges: E-bike sales are booming globally, which is helping to drive down purchase prices. Local governments are also stepping in with subsidy programs, tax breaks, and other schemes to help drive adoption. Good e-bikes can now be had for less than $1,000. Even premium e-bikes that offer more features and greater peace of mind can be found for less than $2,000. VanMoof, for example, recently dropped the price of its excellent Electrified S2 and X2 e-bikes to €1,798 in Europe and $1,998 in the US. Likewise, an exceptionally promising new e-bike from Muto has just started sales in Europe for an introductory price of €1,549. And Rad Power Bikes’ ridiculously fun RadRunner utility bike can now be had for $100 less at $1,199. Many countries in Europe offer e-bike incentives to promote their green initiatives. In the Netherlands, for example, a government-backed scheme introduced in January allows employees to lease an electric bike for less than the cost of a Netflix subscription. A €3,000 (about $3,260) e-bike can be leased through employers for about €7 ($7.60) per month.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21195561/ebike-coronavirus-social-distance-reasons-to-buy-traffic

Transportation

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Tom Warren

Google to resume regular Chrome updates after brief pause

Google says it’s now ready to resume work on Chrome, after briefly halting upcoming releases of the browser in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Daily canary builds of the browser, dev, and beta versions “have or will resume this week,” according to Google. The next stable channel update that rolls out broadly to Chrome users will arrive the week of April 7th, with the release of Chrome 81. Google canceled its Chrome 82 release, but all the work and features involved will roll into Chrome 83 which “will be released three weeks earlier than previously planned” in roughly mid-May. Google halted work on Chrome to prioritize the stability of Chrome OS and the Chrome browser just as millions started working from home earlier this month. Google now says it will “continue to closely monitor that Chrome and Chrome OS are stable, secure, and work reliably” during this pandemic period. Microsoft also followed Google by pausing the release of Edge 81 last week. The software giant is also pausing optional Windows 10 cumulative updates beginning in May, but crucial security updates will still be available for Windows.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21196720/google-chrome-release-cornonavirus-pandemic-response-roadmap

Google

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Megan Farokhmanesh

Sony is now slowing down PlayStation downloads in the US

Sony is working with internet service providers in the US to slow game download speeds in an effort to preserve internet capacity for users overall, the company announced on its blog today. The company already enacted this policy in Europe earlier this week. This means players will have “somewhat slower or delayed“ times downloading games; Sony has said previously that gameplay will remain “robust” for those playing online. Companies such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Apple, and Disney have reduced video streaming quality to help with the strain from millions of people now being stuck at home as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads. YouTube has dropped the default quality of videos to standard definition worldwide, though high definition (HD) can still be manually selected. “We will continue to take appropriate action to do our part to help ensure internet stability as this unprecedented situation continues to evolve,” Sony’s post reads. So far, Microsoft has yet to directly confirm whether it’s throttling Xbox download speeds in a similar fashion.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21196835/sony-slow-playstation-downloads-us-internet-speed-isps-usage-coronavirus

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Ashley Carman

Facebook launches accessibility and creator tools to make live-streaming available to more people

COVID-19 and its resulting social distancing measures have inspired lots of people to live stream, so Facebook says it’s going to launch various features over the next couple weeks to make Facebook Live more accessible and easy to use, particularly for people who might not have a lot of mobile data. The updates will be global. The team is launching an audio-only mode, as well as automatic closed captions. It’s also giving people various ways to access a stream outside of Facebook, including logged-out support, which means people without a Facebook account can still tune into content. This accompanies Public Switched Telephone Network support, allowing streamers to generate toll-free telephone numbers so viewers can call into the audio of a live broadcast. Other new features are more directed toward the people hosting live events. The company’s Stars function, which allows creators to make money over streams, is expanding to musicians and cultural institutions. Up until now, it’s mostly been used by gamers. The expansion is clearly a nod to other streaming platforms, like Twitch, where artists have been hosting live, donation-based streams. Additionally, Facebook is providing partners, mostly faith-based and education organizations, with mobile phone accessories to help them go live. It’s also launching a “live producer” feature for more professional setups that require a connected camera and software encoder. The company says this feature will make managing live streams easier and includes tools like comment moderation, overlays, and clipping.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197193/facebook-live-video-streaming-update-covid-19-captioning-audio

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Jon Porter

Movies Anywhere is bringing its digital film locker to LG’s TVs

Movies Anywhere — the Disney-owned movie locker service that combines your purchased films across digital stores including Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Google Play — is launching a native app for LG’s smart TVs. The app will be available for LG TVs running webOS manufactured from 2017 onwards, including its excellent OLED models. The launch makes LG’s televisions the first smart TVs to get a Movies Anywhere app. Previously, the service was available on a number of different devices including iPhones, Android devices, iPads, Apple TV, Amazon devices like the Fire TV, Roku boxes, and Chromecasts. It’s available via its website. Movies Anywhere notes that it currently supports 7,900 movies, from a variety of different film studios. These include all of Disney’s brands (including Pixar, Twentieth Century Studios, Marvel, and Lucasfilm), Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, and Sony Pictures. However, the service’s site notes that Paramount, Lionsgate, and MGM’s films are not currently eligible for Movies Anywhere. As well as watching movies you’ve purchased, soon Movies Anywhere will also let you loan digital movies to friends using its recently announced Screen Pass feature. The feature is currently in beta, with a full launch planned for later this year.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21196710/lg-tvs-movies-anywhere-digital-film-locker-service

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Michael Moore

8 new anime to check out this spring

This spring, more than 45 new shows are airing as anime season kicks off in Japan. To help you decide what to watch, we’ve put together a list of eight shows that stand out as being interesting for both newcomers and diehard fans. Thanks to streaming services like Amazon, Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Netflix, most of these shows are available for viewing internationally within a day of their original airdate. One show from our winter season preview (Dorohedoro) should come to Netflix internationally this season. We’ll continue to update this post with streaming and availability info. Ascendance of a Bookworm season 2 The first season of Ascendance of a Bookworm aired late last year and made it on our list of best anime of 2019. The series follows Myne — or rather, an aspiring librarian from our world who died and woke up as sickly five-year-old Myne — in a fantasy world where normal people don’t have access to books. Season 1 saw Myne trying to achieve her dream of making books using her knowledge from our world, but her unknown aliment constantly held her back. Now, it seems Myne will achieve her dream, along with a way to handle her illness, but not without a new set of complications. Ascendance of a Bookworm season 2 will stream on Crunchyroll, and it starts airing in Japan on April 5th. BNA: Brand New Animal BNA: Brand New Animal is a new series from animation studio Trigger (Promare, Kill la Kill), director Yoh Yoshinari (Little Witch Academia), and writer Kazuki Nakashima (Promare, Gurren Lagann). It follows Michiru, a high school girl who one day mysteriously becomes a tanuki person. She moves to Anima City, an entire city of humanoid-animals like her, to uncover what caused her sudden change. BNA: Brand New Animal will start airing in Japan on April 8th, and it will stream on Netflix in North America later this year. Fruits Basket season 2 Fruits Basket is a romance / drama / comedy about orphaned high schooler Tohru; she goes to live with two of her classmates, a pair of cousins from the incredibly rich and powerful Soma family. The cousins, along with several other members of the Soma family, are cursed to turn into different animals of the Chinese zodiac when embraced by someone of the opposite sex. Season 2 will delve further into trauma that the curse has caused those afflicted with it as well as the deep-rooted issues of the Soma family. Fruits Basket season 2 will stream, starting April 6th, subtitled on Crunchyroll, and with subtitles and dubbed on FunimationNow. Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 This third season of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex takes place 13 years after the events of the second season, which originally aired until 2005. After a global financial crisis Japan’s Public Security Section 9, a special cybernetic crime SWAT team of sorts becomes involved in trying to stop an AI-driven sustainable war from engulfing the world. The move to only 3DCG animation is a first for the series, which is being produced by both Production I.G and Sola Digital Arts. It is being co-directed by Kenji Kamiyama, who directed the earlier seasons, and Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed). Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 will be available to stream on Netflix on April 23rd. Kaguya-sama: Love is War season 2 Season 1 of Kaguya-sama: Love is War was on our list of best anime of 2019 for its stylish animation and unique spin on a romantic comedy about two overachieving high schoolers who like each other but will do whatever they can to get the other one to admit it first. Season 2 promises further shenanigans and some new characters to escalate their ridiculous romantic scheming. Kaguya-sama: Love is War season 2 will stream on FunimationNow starting on April 11th. Listeners Set in a world where people have lost the concept of music, special humans called Players battle against monsters called Miminashi to protect humanity. One day, a boy named Echo comes across a mysterious woman buried in a scrapheap. Myuu has no memory of who she is; strangely, she has a large headphone jack in her lower back. After plugging her into an amp, they discover she might have the power to change the world. The sci-fi / rock music concept for the series comes from musician JIN (Kagerou Daze), anime screenwriter Dai Sato (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo), and producer Taichi Hashimoto. It is being animated by MAPPA (Yuri!!! On Ice, and Zombie Land Saga). Listeners will stream on FunimationNow and will start airing in Japan on April 4th. Tower of God Bam and Rachel lived outside of a giant enclosed structure called the Tower, until Rachel found a way to enter it. Not wanting to be alone, Bam manages to open a door to the Tower. Inside, he finds each floor is the size of North America and filled with different nations and cultures; in order to ascend to the next floor, you have to pass various trials to prove yourself worthy. Tower of God is the second Crunchyroll Originals series and is being made in collaboration with internet comic platform Webtoon, which published the original comic on which the show is based. Telecom Animation Film, best known for its recent work on Lupin the 3rd Part 5, is animating the show. Tower of God will stream on Crunchyroll starting on April 1st. Wave, Listen to Me! Based on a manga series by Blade of the Immortal creator Hiroaki Samura and animated by Sunrise (Gundam, Code Geass, and Cowboy Bebop), Wave is about a waitress named Minare Koda. Minare complains about her current life situation and ex-boyfriend to a radio producer at a bar after she’d been drinking too much. When a recording of her diatribe airs on the radio the next day, she angrily confronts the producer, only to have him put her on the air live. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21191592/anime-spring-2020-preview-trailers-netflix-crunchyroll-funimation-bna-ghost-in-the-shell

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Julia Alexander

In an unprecedented move, Disney parks will remain closed until further notice

Disney originally aimed to reopen its various theme parks by April 1st, but in light of the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus and recommendations from both local authorities and health experts, Disneyland and Disney World will remain closed until further notice. “While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority,” a tweet from an official Disney Parks account reads. The company will continue paying its hourly parks and resorts employees through April 18th, the statement added. It’s unclear if this also applies to parks around the world, including in Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, but The Verge has reached out for more information. Disneyland and Disney World began closing on Sunday, March 15th. They were initially going to say closed through March 31st. Part of the resorts will remain open, including retail and dining experiences at Disney World Resort. Disney’s parks in the United States joined Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo in closing, marking the first time in history that all seven resorts, including their various parks, were all closed at one time. Disneyland has only closed twice before: on November 23rd, 1963 in a day of national mourning for President John F. Kennedy, and on September 11th, 2001 because of the attacks in New York and Washington, DC. Disney’s parks business generates approximately $20 billion a year in revenue for the House of Mouse. Continuing to keep the parks closed will have a strong impact on the company’s financial situation. Executives at Disney outlined as much in a recent SEC filing for investors, noting that “the impact of the novel coronavirus and measures to prevent its spread are affecting our businesses in a number of ways.” Disney’s parks have closed, cruises are suspended, and theatrical movies have been delayed. Production delays and sports leagues hitting pause have also affected content creation for both film and television and left ESPN in a bind. “We expect the ultimate significance of the impact of these disruptions, including the extent of their adverse impact on our financial and operational results, will be dictated by the length of time that such disruptions continue,” the filing reads. Those disruptions will also depend on the “currently unknowable duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Disney’s SEC filing also notes that “the impact of governmental regulations that might be imposed” is something they’ll have to keep in mind. For example, Florida and California governments could impose bans on large gatherings for an extended period of time, meaning that Disney World and Disneyland may have to operate within those guidelines. While many entertainment companies are taking a hit, Disney is feeling it extra hard. Unlike NBCUniversal and WarnerMedia, owned by major telecom companies Comcast and AT&T respectively, Disney doesn’t have a larger conglomerate it can rest on. Analytical firm MoffettNathanson issued a research note last week explaining just how hard extended park closures, production delays, and other forces could hit Disney in the months to come.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197449/disney-land-disneyworld-park-closure-coronavirus-film-tv-streaming-espn-cruises

Disney

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Sam Byford

‘Several’ ARM-based Mac laptops and desktops coming next year, says report

The Mac’s long-rumored transition from Intel processors to Apple’s own ARM designs could be swifter and more extensive than you might have expected. According to a new research note from analyst Ming-chi Kuo, reported on by MacRumors, Apple is planning to release “several” ARM-based Macs in 2021 in both laptop and desktop form factors. Kuo believes that switching to ARM will allow Apple to reduce its processor costs by 40 to 60 percent while gaining more flexibility over its hardware lineup. He recently claimed that Apple would launch its first ARM-based laptop in the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of next. Relative to x86 processors from Intel or AMD, ARM designs are usually associated with mobile devices because of their greater power efficiency, giving products like the iPad long battery life without the need for active cooling. It makes sense, then, that Apple would see its increasingly powerful A-series processors as a good fit for MacBooks. The notion of ARM desktops is perhaps more intriguing, mainly because no-one’s really tried it yet in consumer computers. Power efficiency is closely related to performance — mobile ARM devices run at low power because they need to preserve battery life and run cool in a thin form factor. What kind of performance could be achieved from, say, something like the new iPad Pro’s A12Z chip in an iMac-style body with active cooling and a permanent power supply from the wall? And what would this mean for the ultra-engineered, ultra-expensive, Xeon-based new Mac Pro? In any case, it sounds like the ARM transition is going to be big news for the Mac next year. Apple would normally announce this sort of thing at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, but this year’s in-person event won’t take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the WWDC 2020 keynote and other developer sessions will be broadcast online at an as-yet unspecified time.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21196611/arm-macbook-desktop-apple-2021-release-date

Apple

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Nick Statt

Lyft is referring drivers to jobs at Amazon after massive ridership decline

Lyft is now referring drivers on its platform to jobs at Amazon in a partnership between the two companies designed to alleviate financial hardships from a massive drop in ride-hailing usage. Lyft notified drivers of the program on Friday via email, which the company has shared with The Verge, and said it’s encouraging them to apply to roles in Amazon warehouses and as part of the e-commerce company’s grocery and package deliveries platforms. Unlike Uber, which operates a food delivery platform, Lyft does not currently delivery meals or groceries, and its ridership has plummeted in recent weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yet the company announced last week it would be expanding its delivery network to start delivering test kits, medical supplies, and meals to the elderly and vulnerable populations. Lyft says 100,000 drivers have signed up for the expansion so far. Lyft has also partnered with eight Medicaid agencies to use its platform to help people access vital medical services like dialysis appointments, chemotherapy, and prenatal care. Amazon is among the few companies still able to hire at a time of record job losses, as demand for its delivery services surges due to city lockdowns and self-isolation and quarantine recommendations in effect throughout the country. Earlier this month, Amazon said it would raise its hourly rate by $2 through April and hire at least 100,000 new workers to keep up with strains on its warehouses and delivery network. Through the new partnership with Amazon, Lyft says its drivers can sign up for jobs with the e-commerce giant through a dedicated web portal here. The company is also advising any drivers who do continue using its platform purchase plastic barriers for sealing off the front seat of the vehicle from the backseat. The company is informing its drivers of their eligibility for benefits as part of the historic stimulus package Congress passed earlier today with a new blog post posted today, too. The Amazon program is not limited to just contract work through Amazon’s Flex package delivery network or Fresh grocery delivery service. The web portal indicates that Lyft drivers can find an Amazon job in as soon as seven days, and the work includes part-time and full-time jobs with “no resume or previous work experience required.” It includes roles in warehouses, as Flex drivers or through Amazon’s delivery partners, or as shoppers who work at Whole Foods markets to prep same-day Amazon deliveries and grocery pickups. Update March 26th, 8:40PM ET: Added information about Lyft’s web portal for drivers to apply to Amazon jobs.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197699/lyft-amazon-coronavirus-ridership-decline-job-referral-warehouse-grocery-delivery

Apps

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Josh Dzieza

Amazon gave workers a letter to prove they are doing an “essential” job

As a growing list of states order “nonessential” businesses closed to slow the spread of COVID-19, Amazon is giving warehouse and delivery workers letters to carry saying that they are engaged in essential work. “This letter is provided as evidence that the carrier of this letter is an Amazon employee and, as such, an employee of an essential business,” reads a letter given to fulfillment center workers. “This employee is providing essential work to support Amazon’s delivery of critical supplies directly to the doorsteps of people who need them. In doing so, this employee enables members of the community to remain at home and reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission, including the elderly and other vulnerable persons.” The letter, written on Amazon letterhead, also includes a paragraph addressed to law enforcement with a phone number for verifying the carrier’s employment. The Verge confirmed that similar letters have been given to warehouse workers and delivery drivers around the country this week, with minor variations by role and region. Though no states have required workers to carry documentation, Target and McDonald’s have told workers to carry similar letters. In Italy, France, and other countries hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, residents are required to carry forms explaining why they’ve left the house. It’s possible the letters are a preemptive measure in case similar measures are taken in the US. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Department of Homeland Security considers warehouses, logistics, food delivery, and other sectors Amazon could reasonably fall under to be essential services, and millions of Americans told to stay home have come to rely on the company’s distribution network for basic necessities. To meet surging demand, Amazon last week halted deliveries of nonessential items to its warehouses and announced plans to hire 100,000 additional workers. But the company has a long history of injuries and grueling conditions at its warehouses and delivery network, and as COVID-19 has spread, workers across the country have called for better safety precautions. Amazon says it has intensified cleaning procedures, but workers say cleaning materials are often in short supply and the pace of work doesn’t leave time to use them. Amazon halted team meetings and altered schedules to avoid workers crowding together, but workers say their jobs still often require being in close proximity. There have now been confirmed cases of COVID-19 at 15 US warehouses. Amazon has closed only one, a returns-processing facility in Kentucky, and only after the governor ordered it shuttered. The company has also failed to notify workers when there has been a coronavirus case at their facility, leaving workers to rely on rumors and hearsay. Last week, a group of senators wrote a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos expressing concern for the safety of Amazon workers during the pandemic and asking what precautions are being taken. Bezos published a memo the following day listing several safety measures, including the ordering of millions of masks for workers, though he acknowledged that the masks are in short supply and many of the orders have yet to be filled. Bezos’ memo, like the letters given to workers, also made clear that the company is positioning itself as an essential service during the pandemic, referring to “essential work” that cannot be done from home. “We’re providing a vital service to people everywhere, especially to those, like the elderly, who are most vulnerable,” he wrote. But it’s unclear how long Amazon can continue providing this service if workers don’t feel safe. Many warehouse workers say they have begun staying home rather than risk infection, and drivers report bottlenecks at their delivery stations. Delivery times for some items already stretch to a month or more and threaten to get worse if Amazon can’t staff up. Last week, the company raised pay by $2 per hour and increased overtime pay, but for many workers, it wasn’t enough. “At the end of the day, it’s just about being safe,” said a worker at a North Carolina fulfillment center. “At the end of the day, it’s not about making the dollar.” He walked out after hearing rumors, which Amazon denied, that a co-worker had tested positive for COVID-19. He’s not sure whether he’ll come back. See the full letter below:

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197454/amazon-coronavirus-covid-19-warehouse-delivery-essential-letter

Report

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Justine Calma

What happens when extreme heat collides with a pandemic? 

The COVID-19 pandemic is on the verge of colliding with another public health threat: extreme heat, which kills more people in the US each year than any other weather-related event. Public health officials usually recommend that people without air conditioning head to places like malls and libraries where they can cool off, but that’s not an option for a lot of people sheltering at home. The problem could soon begin to affect India, where temperatures begin to climb in April and have reached as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). India’s 1.3 billion residents have been ordered to stay indoors until April 14th to stop the spread of disease, and only about 5 percent of the population has air conditioning. Heat-related illness can begin with mild symptoms like a headache and muscle cramps, and they can progress to confusion, dizziness, vomiting, and losing consciousness. Once the body reaches a point where it can no longer cool itself down by sweating, heat stroke can lead to organ failure and eventually death. Those most at risk are often the poor and elderly, groups that are similarly hard-hit by the novel coronavirus. Heat-related deaths can be prevented by checking in on people who might be isolated indoors and providing public places for them to get out and cool down. But those strategies contradict efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, which mostly focus on keeping people apart. “We’re in between a rock and a hard place if it were to become a heatwave during the time when we’re enacting physical distancing measures,” says David Eisenman, a professor at the University of California Los Angeles’ department of community health sciences. In developing countries, the migration to cities from rural areas has posed new problems when it comes to preventing deaths from heat. Traditionally built homes in less densely packed areas often included designs that naturally kept the structure cool, like inner courtyards and windows aligned to allow prevailing winds to pass through. But poorer newcomers to cities have packed into informal settlements where homes may be little more than brick or metal walls with a corrugated metal roof. “That’s literally an oven,” says Kurt Shickman, executive director of the Global Cool Cities Alliance, which partners with governments to plan more heat-resilient cities. It’s estimated that 40 percent of the world’s urban expansion takes place in slums, and more than two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to live in cities by 2050, according to the United Nations Development Programme. “The problem is way worse in the developing world, but we shouldn’t take that and say that we’re out of the woods here [in the US],” Shickman says. The US sees upward of 600 heat-related deaths each year. Heat waves, which are becoming more frequent and more intense because of climate change, took a heavy toll in Europe last year, too, killing almost 1,500 in France last June and July. “[Extreme heat] is even more of a pressing issue with the pandemic than it was beforehand, and this need for staying at home is only bringing out issues that already existed,” says Sonal Jessel, a policy and advocacy coordinator for the Harlem-based nonprofit WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Even though New York City has just stepped into spring, Jessel is already scrambling to figure out strategies to keep people safe in case hotter temperatures arrive earlier this year. Temperatures can be several degrees hotter in cities like New York compared to surrounding areas, because all the asphalt and concrete absorb and trap heat. It can be even hotter in industrial neighborhoods with fewer trees and parks, which means some communities are more vulnerable than others. Almost half of all people who lost their lives to heat in New York City between 2000 and 2012 were African American, although they’re just under 25 percent of the city’s population. “Now that we’re all instructed globally not to gather in close proximity, it’s going to really call for creativity and quick pivoting among public health systems around the world,” says Kim Knowlton, a senior scientist at the National Resources Defense Council, who has worked with Jessel’s organization in New York and other groups in India to prevent heat-related illness and death. She and other public health experts are beginning to put their heads together to figure out how they may need to tackle two crises — coming heat waves and the ongoing pandemic — in tandem. But they don’t have answers just yet. Cities might have to figure out how to create publicly accessible places where people can cool down while also maintaining enough physical space between each other to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Eisenman at UCLA says. “It just seems like a really hard thing to pull off,” he says. If beating the heat by going to a public place is out of the question, then more needs to be done to help people cool down at home, says Jessel. That means getting air conditioners into more homes, and helping people pay their utility bills so that they don’t need to choose between running their air conditioning and paying for other necessities. With lots of people losing their jobs during the pandemic, making air conditioning affordable is even more pressing. Jessel’s organization is advocating for more funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a federally funded program that provides assistance with home energy bills. Beyond that, Jessel and other advocates are pushing for ways to retrofit homes to keep them cooler. Installing better insulation, painting roofs white to reflect the sun, and planting rooftop gardens can keep homes and buildings cool. Temperatures in parts of California, where there’s a state-wide shelter-in-place order, are going to rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 27 degrees Celsius) next week. While Eisenman doesn’t think those numbers will begin to pose a threat just yet, he warns that the first really hot days of the season can be particularly dangerous because people are still adjusting to the change in temperatures. And while California and New York are current hotspots for COVID-19 in the US, he worries that other states with fewer coronavirus cases now but hotter climates, like Arizona, might see their number of cases peak closer to the start of summer. That potential scenario could be deadly, which is why Eisenman and others are encouraging groups to take early measures to address the combination of threats — before the case counts and temperatures start to rise.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197467/extreme-heat-waves-covid-19-pandemic-coronavirus

Science

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Tom Warren

Slack is working on Microsoft Teams integration for calls

Slack is working on integrating Microsoft Teams calling features into its chat app. The integration would allow users of both rival services to call each other, bridging an important gap between the communications apps. “We’re working on Teams integrations for calling feature,” said Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield on an analyst call, reports CNBC. Slack hasn’t revealed exactly how the calling integration will work, but the company previously made its apps easier to use with Microsoft’s Office 365 apps last year. This included Outlook calendar and mail integration into Slack along with access to OneDrive documents. Slack created these apps using Microsoft’s publicly available APIs and without any close collaboration between both companies. It’s not clear when this new Slack and Microsoft Teams integration will be available or whether the two companies are partnering to enable calling between the communications services. It would be surprising to see the two firms working together, given the intense competition. Microsoft has been racing to beat Slack to key business customers, and it passed Slack daily active users last year. Both services have seen big increases in demand following the novel coronavirus pandemic. Microsoft Teams usage soared to 44 million daily active users earlier this month, and Slack revealed this week that it hit a new record of 12.5 million concurrent users.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197091/slack-microsoft-teams-integration-calling-features

Microsoft

The Verge

2020-03-27 00:00:00

2020

3.0

27

Nick Statt

Nvidia adds Control to GeForce Now and promises new games every week

Nvidia says its GeForce Now cloud gaming service will start getting new games every Thursday, starting with Remedy Entertainment’s sci-fi action title Control. The announcement is a bit of good news for the controversial platform, which has seen high-profile game publishers like Activision Blizzard, Bethesda Softworks, and 2K Games pull their entire libraries since it exited beta in early February. Part of the deal means Control can also be played on GeForce Now using Nvidia’s RTX cards, which enable ray-tracing effects for more realistic visuals. It’s not entirely clear how Nvidia secured Control, but it may have something to do with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, who has publicly expressed support for the platform. “Epic is wholeheartedly supporting Nvidia’s GeForce Now service with Fortnite and with Epic Games Store titles that choose to participate (including exclusives), and we’ll be improving the integration over time,” Sweeney tweeted earlier this month. It’s the most developer-friendly and publisher-friendly of the major streaming services, with zero tax on game revenue. Game companies who want to move the game industry towards a healthier state for everyone should be supporting this kind of service! Control is currently an Epic Game Store exclusive on PC, and Epic also just secured the rights to future titles by Remedy Entertainment under its new publishing label. So it’s safe to say Epic, Remedy, and Nvidia are all on good terms with regard to GeForce Now. The same cannot be said of other publishers, which seemingly pulled titles the platform because they did not appreciate Nvidia including them without express permission and under older terms. Once Nvidia began charging $5 for the public trial of GeForce Now in February, it became clear that a number of big publishers weren’t informed. It’s not clear why publishers dislike the service; none of the bigger companies that have pulled titles have spoken up about it. But smaller indie developer Raphael van Lierop of Hinterland Studio said he disliked Nvidia including his game without his permission and worried the service might complicate exclusivity deals or ports to other platforms. Bigger publishers may simply not like a service that doesn’t charge separately for cloud gaming versions of titles, like Google Stadia does. But GeForce Now, in letting players access existing purchases through Valve’s Steam on any device, has presented some unprecedented licensing and legality issues the gaming industry hasn’t hammered out yet. It’s uncharted territory, and it’s clear Nvidia may have to either offer some sort of revenue cut or pay a licensing fee to publishers if it wants to use their titles. So far, the company has amicably agreed to remove all games at the request of owners, and it released a blog post earlier this month saying it expects these game removals to be “few and far between.” “Starting this week, we’re aligning most releases to Thursdays. That way our members know when to look for library updates. GeForce Now will continue releasing new and recent game launches as close to their availability as possible,” writes Andrew Fear, the senior product manager for GeForce Now, in a blog post. Nvidia says in addition to Control, it’s also adding Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Dungeons 3, Headsnatchers, IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad, Jagged Alliance 2 – Wildfire, and The Guild 3.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21197361/nvidia-geforce-now-cloud-gaming-control-new-games-weekly

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-28 00:00:00

2020

3.0

28

Jacob Kastrenakes

New trailers: Killing Eve, Upload, Murder House Flip, and more

I’d completely expected to be writing a note this week about how the COVID-19 pandemic has largely shut down trailer production, but it turns out, my assumption was wrong. While things have certainly slowed down, streaming services are almost singlehandedly keeping up the new releases. If anything, this is a great moment for them to debut a new show or series since everyone is stuck indoors. That said, we’ll see how long this lasts. Productions are being shut down for health reasons, and it seems like every major movie coming out in the next couple of months is being delayed. So there may come a point where the backlog of content thins out. I certainly suspect it’ll be a bit before we see any trailers for tentpole films. For now, it’s a great moment to catch up on some old movies you haven’t watched in a while or check out a show you never got around to. My wife and I are now nearly a season into The Sopranos, something we newly have the time to spend watching through. Other than the occasionally strange ’90s music choices, it’s pretty good. Check out 11 trailers from this week and last week below. While I’ve heard that the show’s second season didn’t live up to its much-loved first run, this teaser for season three of Killing Eve looks wonderfully stylized, fun, and dramatic. The show returns April 12th. Black-ish creator Kenya Barris has a new comedy series coming to Netflix about life as a successful black artist in Hollywood. Barris stars as a fictionalized version of himself, with Rashida Jones playing his wife. From just the first moment of this trailer, it seems like the show is off to a strong start. It debuts April 17th. Master of None co-creator Alan Yang makes his feature debut with Tigertail, a beautifully shot film about a Taiwanese factory worker moving to America. It comes to Netflix on April 10th. Greg Daniels, who led the US version of The Office, is back with a new sitcom for Amazon. Upload is about people who live in a digital “afterlife” after having their consciousness uploaded pre-death. So far, it mostly looks like an excuse to make some pretty low-hanging tech jokes (hilarious, there are in-app purchases...). The show debuts May 1st. Hulu has a ridiculous looking period piece comedy coming up that stars Elle Fanning as Catherine the Great. It’s hard not to think of The Favourite while watching this, but that’s not a bad thing — the series comes from one of the film’s co-writers. The show debuts May 15th. Chris Evans plays a father whose kid is accused of murder in this upcoming Apple TV Plus series. It’s based on a crime novel, and yeah... I just went ahead and read the entire synopsis on Wikipedia to find out if he did it or not. The show debuts April 24th. The basic premise of Run is super twee — two exes follow through on an old agreement to drop everything, reunite, and run away together if their lives get boring — but the actual execution looks surprisingly fun and lively. It comes out April 12th. Netflix is turning Lois Lowry’s The Willoughbys into an animated film, and while it looks like the movie is filled with pretty conventional kids humor, the animation has an intricate stop motion-esque look to it. It comes out April 22nd. Even though Netflix has made straight-to-streaming films a totally normal thing, I’m still a little skeptical about movies that go straight to HBO. But all that said: I’m very into this trailer for Bad Education, which is based on a real story about a beloved school leader whose years of theft starts to become exposed. It comes out April 25th. I’m fully obsessed with watching Quibi trailers in a “let’s see just how much of a mess this is gonna be” kind of way. Most Dangerous Game is a movie “in chapters” up to 10 minutes long. There are two big stars in the lead, and despite my assumptions, it looks like a pretty altogether normal action movie. It comes to Quibi on April 6th, when the service launches. Speaking of Quibi... here’s the trailer for what is likely its altogether most bonkers show. I absolutely hate that this is probably going to be its biggest hit.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/28/21197623/new-trailers-killing-eve-upload-blackaf-tigertail-more

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-28 00:00:00

2020

3.0

28

Zoe Schiffer

Rent the Runway lays off all retail employees due to coronavirus uncertainty

Rent the Runway, a popular clothing rental brand, laid off its entire retail staff via Zoom yesterday. The company, which primarily operates online, has brick and mortar locations in California, New York, Chicago, and Washington DC. All stores are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the company is not sure when or if they will be able to reopen. During a Zoom meeting with retail staff, a company executive said the business has been forced to “dramatically reassess” its current operations in order to sustain the business. “All teams at RTR are being impacted in some way today,” she added. “With the current uncertainty and continued government restrictions that are aimed to protect public health during this unprecedented pandemic, we have no visibility into when or if we will be able to reopen our stores. As a result of this, all retail roles are being eliminated. This was a heartbreaking decision.” Employees say their email accounts were disabled shortly after the call, which lasted less than 30 minutes. Retail employees are receiving their final paycheck on or before April 3rd, and hourly employees are being paid for any shifts they had scheduled prior to March 31st, according to documents reviewed by The Verge. In addition, employees are receiving severance pay and two months of health insurance. The company also sent out an email with details on how to apply for unemployment. Rent the Runway already contacted customers earlier this month to address coronavirus concerns. “First, according to Harvard Health, there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted from soft surfaces like fabric or carpet to humans,” the email reads. “In addition, our cleaning agents and practices are designed to kill viruses such as the common cold and flu. While scientific information is still developing, we have no reason to believe that our processes are ineffective against COVID-19.” In September, Jason Del Rey at Recode reported that the company was experiencing significant last minute delays on orders, resulting in hundreds of angry customers. Jennifer Hyman, the CEO, said the issue was the result of the company upgrading its warehouse system. In the immediate aftermath, it had to stop accepting new customers. By October, the operation appeared to be back on its feet. But the coronavirus pandemic has dramatically reshaped the economy. State governments have asked non-essential businesses in California and New York to stay closed to stop the spread of the virus, and business owners are being forced to make tough decisions. For companies like Rent the Runway that operate mostly online, closing retail locations is likely a necessary choice. “Rent the Runway has always been like a little too good to be true,” a former retail worker told The Verge. “We’re not selling anything, there’s not a lot to do in the store.” She asked to remain anonymous because her severance was conditioned on signing a non-disparagement agreement. In a statement to The Verge, a Rent the Runway spokesperson said “We are striving to make this transition as seamless as possible for our employees, from compensation to continuation of health insurance coverage. While we don’t have a sense of how long our business will be impacted, we remain committed to serving and supporting our employees and customers during this challenging time.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/28/21198042/rent-the-runway-lays-off-all-retail-employees-due-to-coronavirus-uncertainty

Business

The Verge

2020-03-28 00:00:00

2020

3.0

28

Kim Lyons

Zoom updates iOS app to remove code that sent device data to Facebook

Video conferencing app Zoom updated its iOS app Friday to remove code that sent user data to Facebook, Motherboard reports. The update follows Motherboard’s analysis of the app, which showed it was sending data to Facebook such as a user’s time zone and city, when a user opened the app, and details about the user’s device, even if the user didn’t have a Facebook account. The extent of the data-sharing was not clearly spelled out in Zoom’s privacy policy, according to Motherboard. According to a blog post by Zoom CEO Eric S. Yuan, Zoom implemented its “Login with Facebook” feature using Facebook’s software development kit (SDK) for iOS. On March 25th, the company says it was made aware “that the Facebook SDK was collecting device information unnecessary for us to provide our services,” according to the post. Zoom said the data collected did not include personal user information, but rather information about users’ devices. Users should update the iOS app to the latest version for the change to take effect, the company said. “We sincerely apologize for the concern this has caused, and remain firmly committed to the protection of our users’ privacy,” Yuan said in the blog post. “We are reviewing our process and protocols for implementing these features in the future to ensure this does not happen again.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/28/21197967/zoom-ios-app-code-tracking-facebook

Policy

The Verge

2020-03-28 00:00:00

2020

3.0

28

Kim Lyons

Cuomo pushes NY primary to June 23rd

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York will postpone its April 28th presidential primary election until June 23rd, as the Empire State deals with the largest coronavirus outbreak in the US, the New York Times reports. “I don’t think it’s wise to be bringing a lot of people to one location to vote, a lot of people touching one doorknob, a lot of people touching one pen,” Cuomo said during a news conference Saturday. New York’s primary for state legislative and congressional elections already is scheduled for June 23rd. The Democratic National Committee had warned states that postponing their primaries later than June 9th could result in penalties, including a possible reduction of delegates. Ten states and Puerto Rico have rescheduled their primaries, and several others have expanded vote-by-mail options. Meanwhile on Saturday, President Trump told reporters he was considering an “enforceable” quarantine for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, NBC News reported. “I am thinking about that right now. We might not have to do it but there’s a possibility that sometime today we’ll do a quarantine, short term, two weeks, on New York. Probably New Jersey, certain parts of Connecticut,” the president said. Whether the president has the authority to enact such a quarantine is not clear. The Associated Press notes that the federal government can take steps to prevent the spread of communicable diseases among states, but that public order and safety are up to states to handle. The president said he had spoken with the governors of New York and Florida, but according to the AP, Cuomo said he had not talked about a quarantine with the president. “I don’t know how that could be legally enforceable, and from a medical point of view, I don’t know what you would be accomplishing ... I don’t like the sound of it,” Cuomo said. President Trump later tweeted he was asking the CDC to issue a “strong Travel Advisory” for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and that a quarantine was not necessary. ....Federal Government. A quarantine will not be necessary. Full details will be released by CDC tonight. Thank you! Update March 28th, 1:56PM ET: Adds detail about federal authority and reaction from Gov. Cuomo. Update March 29th, 1:44PM ET: Adds that President Trump will seek a strong travel advisory, not a quarantine, for three states.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/28/21198085/cuomo-ny-primary-trump-quarantine-coronavirus

Policy

The Verge

2020-03-28 00:00:00

2020

3.0

28

Nicole Wetsman

A new COVID-19 test can return results in 5 minutes

A new COVID-19 test from the medical device company Abbott can return positive results in five minutes — and it can be run in a doctor’s office. The test was approved for emergency use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration last night. The test uses Abbott’s small, portable ID NOW platform, and doesn’t have to be sent to a central lab for analysis. Instead, it can be done directly in an emergency room or urgent care clinic, which could cut down on the days-long wait time some patients now face for test results. Doctors could take a swab from a patient’s nose or throat and insert it directly into the machine, and have results within 15 minutes (it can take up to 13 minutes if the sample is negative for the virus). This is GAME CHANGER. Abbott to market, starting next week, a fast point-of-care #coronavirus test, delivering positive results in 5min and negative results in 13min. Will deliver 50K tests/day to start. Kudos to Abbott and FDA’s Jeff Shuren and team at CDRH who are in the fight. “With rapid testing on ID NOW, healthcare providers can perform molecular point-of-care testing outside the traditional four walls of a hospital in outbreak hotspots,” said Robert B. Ford, president and chief operating officer of Abbott, in a press release. This is the second point-of-care test for COVID-19 approved by the FDA. The first, from the biotechnology company Cephid, takes 45 minutes. That test is primarily intended for emergency rooms and hospitals, not for doctors’ offices or urgent care clinics. Tests that give doctors answers quickly are critical during disease outbreaks, because they can help them know how much protective equipment they need to wear when they’re interacting with a patient, where in a hospital to send them, and what sort of care to provide. Tests done in a doctor’s office can also help diagnose patients with mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, and help stop them from unknowingly spreading the virus. The Abbott test works differently than the types of tests that have been the standard in the US during the pandemic. Normally, a patient sample gets sent to a lab so it can be processed using a method called PCR, which searches for tiny bits of coronavirus genetic material. For PCR to work, the sample has to be repeatedly cycled up to a high heat and then back down again. The Abbott test also looks for virus genetic material, but it works at one single temperature. That’s why the device it runs on can be so small — it doesn’t need as much energy. Abbott says it plans to start shipping 50,000 ID NOW COVID-19 tests a day starting next week. The US struggled to ramp up testing for the coronavirus, which is one reason the public health system wasn’t able to contain the virus before case numbers started to climb. Commercial and state labs are now running upwards of 100,000 tests per day, but the US is still running fewer tests per capita than many other countries. President Donald Trump promised that there would be easy to access drive-through testing sites in parking lots across the country, but there aren’t enough tests available to put that type of system in place. There are more cases of COVID-19 in the US than in any other country in the world.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/28/21197944/coronavirus-test-fast-doctors-office-abbott-fda

Science

The Verge

2020-03-28 00:00:00

2020

3.0

28

Kim Lyons

OneWeb files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Space exploration firm OneWeb has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, GeekWire reports, leaving uncertainty about the 74 satellites it has in orbit and its plans to provide high-speed internet from space. In a news release, OneWeb said it plans to use the bankruptcy proceedings to pursue a sale of the company. “While the company was close to obtaining financing, the process did not progress because of the financial impact and market turbulence related to the spread of COVID-19,” according to the news release, which also mentioned that the company was “forced to reduce our workforce.” It did not indicate how many people may have been laid off. Last Saturday, OneWeb successfully launched 34 satellites on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan. The company has a license from the Federal Communications Commission to launch an initial constellation of 648 low-flying satellites, to provide high-speed internet around the world to homes, boats, and planes all located above the 60th parallel north latitude. Its plans included providing “fiber-like internet” coverage to the Arctic sometime this year. Six of its satellites launched in 2019, followed by another 34 last month.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/28/21189404/oneweb-chapter-11-bankruptcy-space

Science

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Kim Lyons

FDA approves Battelle’s process to decontaminate N95 face masks

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a process that would clean much-needed N95 protective face masks and allow them to be reused, the agency said in a release. Columbus-Ohio based Battelle uses a “vapor phase hydrogen peroxide” process to decontaminate the masks being used by healthcare providers and others to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Battelle says its Critical Care Decontamination Systems could decontaminate up to 80,000 masks per day. Late Sunday night following criticism from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the FDA lifted its restriction on the number of masks Battelle can decontaminate with its process. DeWine said on Twitter he had appealed to President Trump to lift the initial limit of 10,000 masks per day. The president later tweeted “Hope the FDA can approve Mask Sterilization equipment quickly.” Several hours later, the FDA changed its emergency use authorization for Battelle’s process from “partial” to “full.” N95 respirators are disposable, snug-fitting face masks that can keep virus-laden droplets away from a wearer’s mouth and nose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the masks’ effectiveness is “highly dependent upon proper fit and use.” UPDATE March 30th, 8:55AM ET: Adds FDA’s lifting of restrictions on the number of masks Battelle can decontaminate in a day.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21198715/fda-approves-battelles-decontaminate-n95-face-masks-coronavirus

Science

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Kim Lyons

US government officials using mobile ad location data to study coronavirus spread

US government officials are using cellphone location data from the mobile ad industry —not data from the carriers themselves— to track Americans’ movements during the coronavirus outbreak, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and local governments have received cell phone data about people in areas of “geographic interest,” the WSJ reports. The goal is to create a government portal with geolocation information from some 500 cities across the country, to help ascertain how well people are complying with stay-at-home orders, according to the WSJ. One example of how the anonymized data was reportedly used: Researchers discovered large numbers of people were gathering in a New York City park, and notified local authorities. The use of even anonymized data raises myriad privacy concerns, with privacy advocates urging limits on how such data can be used and prevent its use for other purposes, the WSJ reported. Other countries have used cell phone data to track citizens’ movements during the pandemic; mobile carriers in the European Union have reportedly shared some data with health authorities in Italy, Germany, and Austria. although details about specific patients were not included. Israel authorized the use of cellphone location data to track the virus, with data to be used in a “focused, time-limited and limited activity,” according to The New York Times. China’s tracking system sends information to law enforcement officials, while Taiwan’s “electronic fence” alerts authorities when a quarantined person moves too far away from their home. And South Korea used cell phone location data to create a public map of coronavirus patients, to track where people may have been exposed. Cell phone carriers in the US told the WSJ that have not been asked by the government to provide location data. But the Washington Post reported on March 17th that the federal government was in “active talks” with Facebook, Google, and other tech companies, to figure out how to use location data from phones.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21198158/us-government-mobile-ad-location-data-coronavirus

Policy

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Kim Lyons

Instacart made in-house hand sanitizer for shoppers who are about to walk off the job

On the eve of a planned work stoppage by its shoppers, Instacart said today it would distribute independently-developed hand sanitizer to its shoppers. Instacart shoppers are planning to refuse new orders Monday because they say the grocery delivery company has not done enough to protect them during the coronavirus outbreak. The strike is still on, the workers said in a statement today, calling Instacart’s response a “sick joke.” One of the shoppers’ demands was for Instacart to provide protective gear such as hand sanitizer, but organizers also want the company to add a $5-per-order hazard payment and expand its sick leave policy. “Given the broad supply chain shortages for supplies like hand sanitizer, Instacart worked with a third-party to manufacture its own hand sanitizer for Instacart shoppers to overcome the existing inventory delays and global supply chain scarcity, without taking away resources from healthcare workers,” the company said in a statement emailed to The Verge. The shoppers’ group said it has been asking for hand sanitizer for weeks, and questioned how the company was able to source it so quickly. “Where were these efforts back when Shoppers first began asking for it?” their statement read. “It’s abhorrent that it took this long for them to act, but on the bright side, it shows that a strike will work to change their behavior.” The hand sanitizer is a liquid spray ethyl alcohol-based product that Instacart says meets CDC guidance. It will be made available for free to shoppers who request it via a special website, the company said. Lead organizer Vanessa Bain told The Verge on Friday that she and other shoppers are concerned for their health, and that Instacart’s measures weren’t going far enough to ensure their safety. The company announced on March 9th it was giving 14 days of paid leave to any part-time workers or shoppers who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been put into mandatory quarantine. On Friday the company said it would extend the benefit through May 8th. It also introduced a bonus program, based on hours worked between March 15th and April 15th and ranging from $25 to $200, and additional promotions for full-service shoppers to earn more based on regional demand. Bain said previously that the sick leave plan was insufficient, since many shoppers don’t have health insurance and would likely work while sick, if they were even able to get a coronavirus test. In addition to providing hand sanitizer, Instacart said today it is changing the tip options in its app. Under the new structure, the “none” option will be removed, and the app will remember a customer’s previous tip and set it as default for future orders. In their statement today, however, the workers called this plan “ridiculous” adding it would likely “provide no meaningful benefit to shoppers.” Instacart has announced plans to hire 300,000 new shoppers due to the overwhelming demand for grocery delivery during the coronavirus outbreak. For its part the workers’ group says it was “heartened by the outpouring of support” it received since announcing its strike plans, adding “the strike is still on.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21198986/instacart-hand-sanitizer-shoppers-strike-coronavirus

Policy

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Julia Alexander

HQ Trivia is back less than two months after the app was shut down

HQ Trivia is being resurrected just a little over one month after co-founder Rus Yusupov announced that the app was shutting down. A push notification went out to HQ Trivia players letting them know a new game will go live tonight at 9PM ET. The notification was followed by a tweet by co-founder Rus Yusupov confirming the return. A source close to the company confirmed to The Verge the app is officially back, meaning this isn’t just a one-off event. Episodes will begin to air more regularly in the future, but the schedule is currently up in the air as things are figured out. The company has been acquired by a private investor who has asked not to be named, the source also confirmed. Yo. You heard??!? @hqtrivia is back tonight at 9pm eastern! Download the app now! Also if you been waiting to cash out, you’ll be able to this week! First launched in 2017, HQ Trivia briefly became one of the most popular daily, live interactive quiz apps that found its player base through the promise of cash prizes. HQ Trivia faced a series of incidents that led to turmoil inside the company, according to CNN, including the death of co-founder Colin Kroll in December 2018. On February 14th, Yusupov sent an email to staff letting them know that “lead investors are no longer willing to fund the company, and so effective today, HQ will cease operations and move to dissolution,” CNN reported. Yusupov teased on Twitter in February that he was in negotiations with a company to bring HQ back. Part of the negotiations included paying severance to the 25 employees at HQ, and paying out players who still had cash winnings on the app. “In its new home, we should expect HQ to go through some changes, especially to cover expenses, and be less buggy,” Yusupov tweeted on February 18th. Tonight’s game will include a public service component that addresses the spread of the novel coronavirus, the source added.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21199070/hq-trivia-game-app-shut-down-return-acquired-gaming

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Tom Warren

Microsoft tweaks Xbox and Teams services during surge in cloud demand

Microsoft is seeing a significant increase in demand for its cloud services during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This increase in demand includes Windows Virtual Desktop usage growing more than three times, and record numbers across Microsoft Teams, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live, and Mixer. While the software giant originally reported “a 775 percent increase of our cloud services in regions that have enforced social distancing or shelter in place orders,” over the weekend, the company soon had to correct its misleading statement late on Monday. “We have seen a 775 percent increase in Teams’ calling and meeting monthly users in a one month period in Italy, where social distancing or shelter in place orders have been enforced,” explains a Microsoft spokesperson. Either way, cloud demand is growing and Microsoft has started tweaking its services accordingly. “To streamline moderation and ensure the best experience for our community, we’re making small adjustments,” says an Xbox support note. “We’ve temporarily turned off the ability to upload custom gamerpics, club pics, and club backgrounds.” Existing custom Xbox gamerpics will work just fine, but Microsoft is trying to lighten the load on its moderation team checking new uploads during an overall increase in Xbox Live activity. Microsoft says it’s also working with Xbox game publishers to “deliver higher-bandwidth activities like game updates during off-peak hours.” Sony has also taken a similar approach by slowing down PlayStation game downloads to help preserve overall internet speeds. Microsoft revealed last week that it will prioritize cloud access for first responders and emergency services, and keep Microsoft Teams up and running. Teams usage surged by 12 million in just a week earlier this month, and Microsoft Teams initially suffered some outages as a result. Microsoft has now temporarily tweaked some aspects of Teams to improve overall capacity and reliability. “We made a few temporary adjustments to select non-essential capabilities such as how often we check for user presence, the interval in which we show when the other party is typing, and video resolution.” Correction: Microsoft’s original blog posted stated that the company had seen a 775 percent increase in cloud services demand in regions that have enforced social distancing or shelter in place orders. Microsoft later corrected this statement to clarify the 775 percent increase was limited to Italy and just Microsoft Teams calling, not overall cloud demand.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21198673/microsoft-cloud-demand-xbox-gamerpics-disable-coronavirus-pandemic

Microsoft

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Kim Lyons

Latest OnePlus 8 leaks reveal “Interstellar Glow” and other colors

A pair of leaks shows renders for the upcoming OnePlus 8 series that include a slate of new colors, including a purplish-red one called Interstellar Glow. WinFuture and Ishan Agarwal both posted images of the new colors, which also include a Glacial Green and Onyx Black, according to Agarwal. #OnePlus8 Official Renders have leaked! I know what the marketing name for these colours will be:-Interstellar Glow-Glacial Green-Onyx BlackLooks amazing in my opinion! What do you think?Source: @rquandt / https://t.co/sd7Pw4nGHg pic.twitter.com/FWMlSuZzii It’s not clear whether all the new colors will be available for the OnePlus 8 Pro and the OnePlus 8, but a previous leak showed renders with the green hue. The earlier leaks also had possible specs for the new OnePlus phones: the OnePlus 8 Pro may have a 6.78-inch QHD+ display, a 120Hz refresh rate screen, LPDDR5 RAM, a quadruple-camera setup, an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, a 4,510mAh battery, 30W wireless charging, and 3W reverse wireless charging. The smaller OnePlus 8 may have a 6.55-inch FHD+ display, a 90Hz refresh rate screen, a triple-camera setup, LPDDR4X RAM, a 4,300mAh battery, and no wireless charging or IP rating. Both phones may also have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 5G processor. One Plus is expected to launch the new phones next month.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21198701/latest-oneplus-8-leaks-reveal-interstellar-glow-and-other-colors

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Kim Lyons

Detroit auto show canceled as FEMA prepares venue to be a field hospital for COVID-19

The 2020 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit has been canceled as FEMA officials prepare to use its venue, the TCF Center, as a temporary field hospital for COVID-19, CNBC reports. “Although we are disappointed, there is nothing more important to us than the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of Detroit and Michigan, and we will do what we can to support our community’s fight against the coronavirus outbreak,” Rod Alberts, executive director of the show, said in a statement announcing the decision. As of Saturday Michigan had at least 4,650 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 111 deaths, according to the Detroit Free Press. Tickets for the show will be refunded. The next NAIAS is scheduled for June 2021. NAIAS is the fourth big auto show to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The New York International Auto Show, originally slated to open April 10th, has been postponed until August. Its venue, the Jacob K. Javits Center, also is being repurposed by FEMA and the National Guard as a temporary hospital for coronavirus patients. China postponed the Beijing Auto Show, which was scheduled to begin on April 21st. And the Geneva Motor Show, which was supposed to take place earlier this month, was canceled after the Swiss government banned large gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21198617/detroit-auto-show-canceled-fema-covid-19

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Diane Chang

The 8 best coffee makers

The Verge is sharing our favorite recommendations for everyday things from our friends at the Strategist. For all the debate over whether the best coffee comes from a Chemex or a French press or an AeroPress, sometimes you just want to turn on a machine and let it do all the work. We asked 14 coffee experts — baristas, roasters, food-industry professionals, and just plain coffee snobs — what coffee makers out there will give you a good, simple at-home brew without all the fuss. Below are their eight favorite machines for people who think the best part of waking up is having a gadget make their cup. Bonavita Connoisseur 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker According to our research, the Bonavita Connoisseur is respected industry-wide, with four experts recommending the model specifically by name and two others naming Bonavita as generally the best brand of coffee maker. A key feature of the Connoisseur, cited by everyone who recommended it, is the machine’s ability to brew at the proper water temperature. According to Ken Nye, the owner and founder of Ninth Street Espresso, one of the “parameters that most machines don’t achieve is temperature. Very few consistently bring water to that 198-202 degree range,” which he calls the “broadly agreed upon standard.” As Nye puts it, the Connoisseur is made to heat the water to the correct temperature and “maintains that temp throughout the brewing process.” Furthermore, Nye adds, it brews directly into an insulated thermal carafe so you can keep your coffee warm without heating it from below (where you risk burning the coffee). Another important factor, mentioned by multiple sources, is that it evenly distributes the water over the coffee grounds while brewing. It does this with the help of a showerhead-like spout above the filter basket that “showers all of the coffee evenly so it all brews at the same time,” according to Joanna Larue, general manager at Blue Bottle Park Slope. The machine also has a flat-bottomed brew basket that Nye and George Howell, the owner and founder of George Howell Coffee, both cite as essential to ensuring an even brew. “The flat bottom spreads the grounds out evenly on the bed,” explains Howell, so it’s easier to distribute the water and ensure an “even extraction.” This model might not be as full-featured as some of the other options on this list — or on the market in general — but the experts recommend it over all the others due to its more approachable price point, ease of use, and most of all, its reliability. “It’s consistent from start to finish,” says Howell. Bonavita Connoisseur 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer, 40-ounce Cited by three experts, the Technivorm Moccamaster was the second most-recommended coffee maker. It’s pricey, but the experts who use it said that it’s worth the premium if you want to invest in the best equipment out there. Like the Bonavita Connoisseur, the Moccamaster received high marks on its temperature-control ability and even brewing. One of the areas where it really stands out from the crowd, however, is its quality construction. “You want something that’s well-made and has good temperature control,” says Jim Munson, the founder and president of Brooklyn Roasting Company, who highlights the fact that the Moccamaster is handmade in the Netherlands. Suyog Mody, the founder of Driftaway Coffee, is another fan. He says that while the “brewing mechanics” are similar to those used in less-expensive drip coffee makers, the Moccamaster “is made with better parts and with solid construction. I’ve been using it daily for the past three-plus years with zero issues. It’s just no fuss.” He adds, “And honestly, it looks good on the kitchen counter.” While the design is certainly appealing and the construction quality means it should last for a long time, the experts wouldn’t recommend this coffee maker if it didn’t also… make great coffee. “I taste coffee from all types of brewers, and this one gives a consistently better cup,” says Munson. Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer, 40-ounce Motif Essential Pour-Over Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe Mud Coffee co-owner Yasmina Palumbo says this coffee maker from Motif makes a nice alternative to the “better known and much more expensive” Moccamaster. “It heats up water very fast, and its dispersion system soaks the grinds evenly, making a fuller-flavored brew,” she says. Motif Essential Pour-Over Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe Bonavita Programmable Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe Many home brewers like having a programmable coffee machine that can be set to turn on automatically at a certain time. If you’re looking for one of those, two of the experts recommend this model, which has the same brewing mechanics as the top pick but comes with a digital clock and timer with the ability to schedule automatic brewing. “It’s a great option for coffee lovers who want to brew at the touch of a button without sacrificing quality,” says Connie Blumhardt of Roast Magazine. Michael Bonavita (no relation to the company), the owner and founder of Goodlife Coffee Company, says this is the machine he uses at home because he loves how simple it is to program. Bonavita Programmable Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe Capresso CoffeeTeam TS with conical burr grinder and thermal carafe If you want to take the convenience factor beyond programmable timing, you can get a coffee maker with a built-in grinder so you truly have everything you need in one machine. “On mornings when I don’t make a pour-over (weigh out the water, the beans, all that fun stuff), the Capresso drip machine yields the cleanest-tasting cup,” says Kat Odell, the author of Day Drinking. The built-in burr grinder “saves you from having to buy a separate gadget, too,” she adds. (Burr grinders, it should be noted, are also the style favored by every expert we consulted for our roundup on the best coffee grinders.) Capresso CoffeeTeam TS with conical burr grinder and thermal carafe BUNN Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Brewer Anyone who can’t start their day without a sip of coffee knows that another important quality to consider is brew time. That’s where this coffee maker excels, according to Bonavita, who describes it as “very fast, consistent, and user-friendly.” He adds that Bunn has a great reputation in the commercial space, and that this model is a “great at-home version” of those higher-volume machines for which the company is known. BUNN Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Brewer Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker Jamie McCormick, the co-owner of East Village coffee shop Abraço, told us that he prefers to keep things as simple as possible when it comes to coffee machines. “People make a big ‘to do’ over a lot of nothing” when it comes to brewing equipment, he says. Although he admits that he doesn’t quite know why, he thinks a plain old Mr. Coffee is a great choice for any “amateur coffee roaster who wants to flatter their grounds.” Since this doesn’t have a high-tech mechanism for distributing the water evenly like some of the other models on this list, he offers one key tip: Open the machine up while it’s brewing and “stir the grounds. Make sure all the grounds get hydrated.” Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker If you’re looking for a cold-brew coffee maker, this one comes recommended by Dennis Ngo, the chef and co-owner of restaurant Di an Di in Greenpoint. “I got hooked on the smoothness and low acidity of cold-brewed coffee,” says Ngo, who, before making his own cold brew, would go out and buy it from the coffee shop Gimme! near his apartment. “It lets me tinker with different beans and concentrations, and produces enough cold brew to last me two weeks at a time. It also stacks compactly for storage, which is an absolute requirement for my tiny New York apartment.” OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21194199/best-coffee-makers-drip-programmable-grinder-cold-brew

From the Strategist

The Verge

2020-03-29 00:00:00

2020

3.0

29

Michael Moore

Kana Quest is a great puzzle game that just so happens to also teach you Japanese

It can be difficult to find time to finish a video game, especially if you only have a few hours a week to play. In our biweekly column Short Play, we suggest video games that can be started and finished in a weekend. Growing up, I played a lot of educational games on the Apple IIe, like Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? The games that actually taught me things were also the ones that were fun to play, learning how a particular subject aligned with how you needed to think about getting better at the game. The Carmen Sandiego games were particularly good at this: improving meant teaching yourself more about the locations or places in time where the thief could have fled to in order to better discern the clues. In a similar vein, Kana Quest is a sliding block puzzle game that’s designed to teach you Japanese hiragana and katakana characters. It does this by being a really good puzzle game that just so happens to use Japanese characters as the medium for connecting the tiles. This means that you don’t need to learn the characters to solve the puzzles; rather, you end up learning them to get better at solving the puzzles. The goal of each puzzle level is to connect each tile together. Tiles connect when the character on them matches an adjacent tile in one of two ways: either they have the same starting consonant sound or the same vowel sound. For instance, the hiragana character さ (sa) can connect to characters like す (su) or せ (se), which all start with an “s” sound. But it can also connect with か (ka) and な (na), as they both end with an “a” sound. That also means if you put a さ tile between す and か tiles, all three would connect. This setup is enjoyable enough, but as you progress, new mechanics are introduced to mix up how you need to think about each puzzle, like tiles that can’t be moved at all, ice tiles that slide in a direction until they hit a wall, or immovable tiles. Slime tiles — the characters あ (a), い (i), う (u), え (e), and お (o) — are particularly tricky. When moved over another character tile, they change its vowel, so if you have a さ tile that you move a う slime tile over, it changes to す. However, it’s the question mark tile that is maybe the most interesting, as it adds an additional puzzle on top of the actual puzzle. These tiles can’t be moved until you guess what character it is, which you can figure out by moving the other characters next to it and seeing which ones it connects with or by looking at the tiles and determining what character you need to solve the puzzle. A question mark tile might connect with せ, す, and な, from which you can conclude that since it connects to two “s” beginning characters and an “a” ending character, it should be さ. The way Kana Quest incorporates all of these different mechanics keeps the game from feeling like you are just doing the same puzzles repeatedly in different configurations. Instead, it layers on more complex gameplay while also never losing sight of the fact that teaching Japanese is pretty special. The slime tiles, in particular, showed how well-thought-out this game really is since they could have just been normal tiles. But the mechanic around them helps to differentiate them and make them memorable characters as well as change how you think about each puzzle. Kana Quest has over 300 puzzles that can then be played over again with katakana characters instead of hiragana characters (or vice versa), effectively doubling that number, which means you likely aren’t going to actually finish this game in a weekend. Normally, that would make it contrary to the objective of these Short Play recommendations, but it is an ideal game for the quarantined world we currently live in. You can play for 30 minutes or so a day, knocking out a few puzzles. You’ll have spent your time doing something that’s both relaxing and constructive in teaching you something that’ll be useful beyond just the game. Kana Quest was created by Not Dead Design. You can get it on Steam (Windows) for $14.99, and it’s coming to iOS and Android later this year.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/29/21191572/kana-quest-review-japanese-puzzle-game-steam-ios

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Monica Chin

Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook hits shelves April 6th

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Chromebook finally has an official release date. You’ll be able to buy it at Samsung and Best Buy next Monday, April 6th, starting at $999. The device comes in Mercury Gray, or the bolder Fiesta Red that looks bright orange in some settings. It’s the first Chromebook to sport a 13.3-inch 4K OLED display. It also has a more powerful processor than most Chromebooks, an Intel 10th-generation chip. It includes 8GB of RAM (LPDDR3) and a 256GB SSD as well. When we first saw the device back in January, Samsung indicated that there’d be additional configurations available, featuring up to 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. The company seems to have killed those models, however; the base model is now the only variant available. Verge executive editor Dieter Bohn was impressed with the Chromebook’s build quality and the hardware in our first look, calling it “one of the nicest pieces of laptop hardware I’ve touched in a very long time.” Samsung has made a few unique design choices: there’s a camera built into the keyboard deck to take photos when the device is in tablet mode, and there’s an included stylus that lives in a silo on the side. There also aren’t many companies who have tried to sell Chromebooks at this price point. Only Google has attempted Chrome OS devices at the $999 mark, and both the 2017 Pixelbook and the 2018 Pixel Slate were seen as halo devices for Chrome OS. Neither product got a refresh at the same price; the Pixelbook Go, released last fall, starts at $649. Samsung’s device will be a lot more expensive than excellent competitors like Asus’ $549 Chromebook Flip C434, not to mention a number of perfectly fine Windows ultrabooks. In the past, affordability has been one of the strongest arguments for buying a Chromebook. So while it’s certainly a picturesque device with high-end hardware inside, it’ll need to be an excellent machine to justify that price. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21197611/samsung-galaxy-chromebook-google-release-date-april

Google

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Cameron Faulkner

Best Buy is knocking $60 off when you buy two of Amazon’s Echo Show 8 smart displays

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval, so if you're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more, this is the place to be. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy. At Best Buy, Amazon’s Echo Show 8 comes in a two-pack for $200, which is $60 off the usual cost for getting two of these smart displays. To take advantage of this deal, head to this page and simply add two of them to your cart, and feel free to mix up the colors. The Echo Show 8 earned the distinction of being the best smart display for most people in our buying guide. Up against the Google Nest Hub lineup, the Echo Show 8 offers the most features, even if it misses out on a few exclusive ones that you can only find in Google’s smart display. It offers good sound, a sharp display, and while it supports video chatting with its built-in camera, you can easily turn off the camera with the privacy shutter. Amazon Echo Show 8 (two-pack) Target is hosting a buy two, get one free promotion on video games, and even some new releases are eligible for the discount. It’s a good excuse to stock up on some recent releases that you might not otherwise be able to spend full price on. Games like Doom: Eternal (Xbox One, PS4), and Control (Xbox One, PS4). Unfortunately, Nintendo Switch games, including the new Animal Crossing: New Horizons, aren’t looped into the deal. Buy two, get one video games You can snag a Speck case for your phone for less through April 1st. The company is offering a 25 percent discount on most of its inventory, excluding AirPods cases, products that are already discounted, and limited edition cases. Thankfully, that still leaves practically every kind of phone, tablet, and wearable case up for a nice discount. If you’re someone who recently got $200 off the Samsung Galaxy S20 (which, mind you, is still in effect at Amazon), you can save on a case for it, too. Save on Speck cases Verge Deals on Twitter Correction: This post originally claimed that you could buy two Amazon Echo Show 8 devices at Best Buy for $130. In fact, two of them cost $200, a $60 discount.

https://www.theverge.com/good-deals/2020/3/30/21199496/amazon-echo-show-8-smart-display-deal-video-games-target-best-buy-sale

Good Deals

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Sean O'Kane

Go read this Businessweek story about the downsides of DJI’s drone dominance

If you’ve bought, flown, seen, or even thought about a drone over the last five years, it was likely one of DJI’s quadcopters. In fact, the Chinese company has so thoroughly consumed both the consumer and commercial drone markets that its dominance is now hitting a point of limited — and possibly even negative — returns, according to a new feature from Bloomberg Businessweek. The piece is part reflective examination of how DJI got here, part investigation into reclusive founder and CEO Frank Wang’s management style, and part appraisal of the impact that the trade war and the recent Huawei controversies has had on the company. But more than anything, it’s about how DJI has put itself in a position where it’s become its own primary competition. To wit: [...] the company’s tireless drive to improve its products and lower prices has sucked so much of the profit out of the market for consumer and corporate drones that even Wang has little choice but to fund expansions into cameras, robotics, and, most controversially, drones sometimes used for surveillance by big companies and government bodies. As one former employee puts it, “Frank has created a race to the bottom, and now he’s competing against himself.” Blake Schmidt and Ashlee Vance, who reported the piece, explain that DJI’s relentless product cycle and aggressive pricing have made it harder for the company to pull in a profit than one might assume. They also dug into some of the relentless tactics that DJI employed as it carved out that dominance, which reportedly included filling an online forum with negative comments from fake accounts about EHang, another Chinese company that’s working on passenger drones, and trolling YouTube videos about quadcopter company Yuneec. And while working with governments at the local and national level may have presented a new path to revenue, it has also led the company down some dark paths. The reporters discovered DJI announced in 2017 that it agreed to provide drones to authorities in charge of the city of Xinjiang, where 1 million Uighurs are being held in various levels of captivity and subjected to “re-education” by the Communist Party of China (CCP). They were also told that DJI’s air traffic control-style tracking technology may have sprouted from an interaction with the CCP: While it’s not recommended—or, in most places, legal—it’s technically possible to fly DJI’s drones as high as 4 miles into the sky. Someone in China was doing exactly that—and the drone almost collided with a People’s Liberation Army Air Force fighter jet, according to two people familiar with the 2016 incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss it. The fighter pilot landed and was furious. He asked to check footage from a camera mounted to the plane to see if it caught images of the device, which it had. The military brought the pictures to DJI and demanded to know whose drone it was. DJI said it didn’t have a database with that sort of specific information and could provide only a general idea of devices near that location, according to one of the people familiar with the matter. The government insisted that DJI create a type of air-traffic-control database that can identify and monitor drones flying in China. While Wang, according to former employees, isn’t a big fan of the military, he created this system rather than have the government try to build it, one of the people says. DJI either denied or declined to comment on many of the claims in the story. But the parts of the report that detail the company’s alleged relationship with the Chinese government are unlikely to allay the fears of those in the US government who had some federal agencies stop using DJI’s drones over security concerns. Either way, Schmidt and Vance’s new feature is sure to scratch off some of the sheen of DJI’s market dominance. Go check it out.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199842/bloomberg-businessweek-dji-drone-market-share-china-government-security

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Andrew Webster

Riot’s shooter Valorant goes into beta on April 7th

Fans will get an opportunity to play Riot’s Overwatch-meets-Counter-Strike game Valorant very soon: today, the developer announced that a closed beta will be launching on April 7th. It’s not clear just how big the beta will be or how long it will last, but Riot says that prospective players will need to link their Riot and Twitch accounts to be eligible. “When closed beta activates in your region, watch specific Valorant streams highlighted on Twitch for the opportunity to be entitled for closed beta access,” the developer explains. (Check out the official site for full details.) The beta won’t be entirely global, at least not at launch. Instead, it will be available to players in Canada, Europe, Russia, Turkey, and the United States. According to Valorant executive producer Anna Donlon, the limited number of regions is due to the ongoing pandemic. “Our plan was to bring the Valorant closed beta to as many players around the world as quickly as possible, but the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted those plans, compromising a wider global rollout,” she said in a statement. “For now, we have to focus on the regions where we feel most ready, with more regions following in the months to come.” Valorant was first teased last October under the codename “Project A.” It’s Riot’s first title outside of the League of Legends universe, and it’s a 5v5 competitive game that looks to combine the tactical shooter gameplay of CS:GO with the superpowers and colorful characters of Overwatch. The full game is slated to launch on PC sometime this summer.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199452/valorant-multiplayer-shooter-riot-closed-beta-date

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

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30

Aliya Chaudhry

How to set up a Slack account

Now that we’re spending more time indoors, we’re finding new platforms — and new ways to use old platforms — to stay in touch, whether it’s for work or with friends. This is the case with Slack, an instant-messaging platform which functions somewhere in the space between email and text messages. Designed for quick communication, Slack became an important tool for a lot of workplaces well before everyone started working from home. But you can use it for pretty much anything: friends, group activities, clubs, or online communities. Slack has a free version and offers several paid plans. You start by setting up a workspace (which is your main area of operations, and contains your network of contacts) on Slack. In your workspace, you create channels, which are like chat rooms or group chats. In those channels, you and your friends / family / team members can text chat, exchange files, integrate with other apps such as Google Docs and Office 365, and even have video chats (although if you’re using the free version, you can only do a one-to-one video chat). If you’re not already familiar with it, though, Slack takes some getting used to, so we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you get started. Be aware that Slack is rolling out a new version, and the instructions below may differ depending on whether you’re using a free or paid version. When you’re creating an account, you can, if you wish, just join an existing workspace (if your organization, friend, or colleague has one they can add you to). But you can also make your own workspace. Here’s how. To join an existing Slack workspace, you’ll need to get permission from whoever owns that workspace. Usually they will send you an email invitation which you can use to join, but sometimes you have other options. Some workplaces allow anyone with an email address from a specific domain to join, and in some cases, you can authenticate your account using your organization’s single sign-on program (like G Suite or Okta). If you’ve received an email invitation: Otherwise, to join an existing workspace: Now you’re in Slack! Any current conversation, whether it’s a channel or direct-message thread, will show up on your screen. On the left-hand side, a bar will show you all of the channels you’re in, and beneath that, all of your direct messaging (in other words, private) conversations. If you use Slack regularly, it might be a good idea to download the desktop app for Mac or Windows, so that you can use the app separately from any online work you’re doing. There are also apps available for iOS and Android, so you can use Slack from your smartphone. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21194567/slack-account-set-up-instant-direct-messaging-channels-work-from-home-remote-office

How-to

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

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30

Julia Alexander

Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger from the Fast and Furious is now a Lego kit

Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger is one of the most iconic cars in the Fast and Furious franchise, and soon, it’ll be available as a Lego set. The model is a part of Lego’s Technic line, which means that it won’t just look cool; it will also include some moving parts. The car comes decked out with a replica V8 engine and a bottle of NOS (nitrous oxide) in the back — which is important if your goal is to try to race a model train to really set up the mood of the first film. Adding Dominic Toretto’s car (which, in case you’ve forgotten, is the one that he was scared to drive until he really needed to at the end of the first Fast and Furious movie) to the Lego family might seem odd. The Fast and Furious franchise isn’t exactly child-friendly: kids don’t even show up until the fifth movie. And Lego does have some pretty strict company guidelines about what franchises it turns into sets. Back in 2012, Lego noted in response to a request to produce sets based on Joss Whedon’s fan-favorite TV series Firefly that the company “produces toys for children,” adding that “all LEGO products, regardless of age target, must be content-appropriate for this core audience.” That’s why as “cool as the Serenity model is, the Firefly TV show and Serenity film contain content that is not appropriate for our core target audience of children ages 6-11.” If Firefly isn’t kid-friendly, it’s hard to see how Fast and Furious wouldn’t be, either. There’s drinking! And sex! And violence! And extremely good-bad dialogue! That’s why adults love the movies. On the other hand, there’s also an argument to be made that Fast and Furious is a series about the importance of family, of acceptance and loyalty. The franchise’s entire motto is “ride or die,” a phrase that I use daily to describe the friends in my life who I actually like instead of tolerate. Still, Lego has clearly loosened up the restrictions over the years. The company made a Friends set to celebrate NBC’s beloved series. Friends also has drinking, sex, and good-bad dialogue. Plus, c’mon — Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger is dope. It slaps. I want it. I would also like a Lego version of Brian’s orange 1993 Toyota Supra, but the Charger is a good start for now. The Charger is available to preorder on Lego’s website today, and it will be in stores on April 27th. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199584/fast-and-furious-lego-dominic-toretto-dodge-charger-vin-diesel

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Chris Welch

Apple reportedly letting select employees work on early-stage products at home

With all the uncertainty over when “shelter in place” orders will be lifted, Apple has recently been more willing to let early-stage products leave its campus for further development at the homes of its employees. This is according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who today reported about how Apple has been adapting to the work-from-home culture that’s now the norm across Big Tech and countless other companies around the world. Apple is known for maintaining tight secrecy around unreleased hardware and software, and Bloomberg makes clear that employees must go high up the executive ladder for permission to take an in-the-works device home. A vice president must sign off, and the list of employees in possession of future products is regularly reviewed by the company’s most senior leadership. Currently, Apple is at work on “new versions of the HomePod speaker, Apple TV set-top box, MacBook Pro, budget iPads, Apple Watch and iMac for as early as later this year,” according to the report. And the company is said to be on track for the usual fall launch of its next iPhones. These are crucial days if all of those things are going to hit their release targets. Bloomberg noted that “for some work that requires hands-on development, some hardware engineers in Silicon Valley are allowed into the office.” Upcoming software releases are also under continued development, and Apple is similarly rigorous about keeping track of who’s got at-home access to iOS 14, the next version of macOS, and other projects. Those releases are said to be running on schedule, according to Bloomberg, despite the “difficulties of working from home” and “distractions” cited by some Apple software engineers. Even with the company’s obsession with secrecy, sometimes things do still slip out. Early iOS 14 code recently leaked, spilling the details on new software features and corroborating some of Apple’s hardware plans like a lower-cost iPhone 9 and Tile-like “AirTag” trackers. Earlier this month, Apple announced its first new products since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold — an updated MacBook Air and iPad Pro — and those devices are now shipping, even as all of the company’s retail stores outside China remain closed “until further notice.” Apple has offered to cover home office costs (desks, computer monitors, etc.) as the quarantine stretches on, according to Bloomberg’s report, and has started up a contest that has employees showcasing their workspaces. “Whether you’re working at home or at the office, it’s always critical to keep confidential work confidential. While working remotely, use the same care and always securely store confidential items and documents when not in use,” the company said in a notice to staff. Work-from-home edicts in the Bay Area have been extended through May 1st at the earliest.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200098/apple-secrecy-future-products-employees-work-from-home

Apple

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Jon Porter

London health workers to receive free e-bike loaners to avoid public transport

Key National Health Service (NHS) workers in London are being offered a three-month e-bike loan to help them commute to work while social distancing. There are currently 20 Gocycle GS loaner e-bikes available, with more brands like Raleigh soon to join. The e-bikes and Abus locks and helmets are being distributed as part of a plan being organized by London-based e-bike retailer Fully Charged. Interested NHS workers can register their interest on this Fully Charged page, which also calls on other bike manufacturers and sponsors to pledge their support. Not only will free e-bikes reduce commuting costs for essential workers, but it will also help them avoid having to travel in close proximity to others on public transit. Transport for London is currently running a basic service meant only for key workers such as NHS staff, but the reduction in trains has meant bigger crowds on services that are still running, making it a challenge to practice safe social distancing guidelines. An e-bike is a great alternative. “We’ve all seen the images of packed tubes in the capital in the last few days,” Gocycle’s founder and designer, Richard Thorpe, said in a statement. “With far less traffic above ground, and the reduced number of trains being made available, eBikes are probably the best solution for essential NHS workers to move around the city.” Bike shops have been granted “essential” status during the pandemic and have been allowed to stay open. Business is reportedly booming. “Given we’re able to remain operational, our focus is on supporting the country’s key workers,” Fully Charged’s director of operations, Dan Parsons, said in a statement, adding that the cancellation of cycling exhibitions means that many demo bikes are currently going unused. “We hope NHS staff will seize the offer and, moreover, we are calling on the rest of the industry to help provide more support for doctors and nurses in this way,” Parsons added. “Gocycle are our first partner in this project, but we look to increase the offering with more support from suppliers in due course as the cycle industry comes together to show our support for the NHS.” Along with Gocycle’s bikes, Fully Charged says that Raleigh has promised to offer a similar number of e-bikes. Meanwhile, Abus is offering locks and helmets, and Fat Llama is offering tech assistance. In an email to The Verge, Parsons said that dozens of NHS staff have already signed up to participate after a couple of hours. “We hope to encourage the industry to join together to join the fight,” Parsons said. The Gocycle GS is the premium e-bike company’s entry-level model. We liked the step-up Gocycle GX when we reviewed it last year. The GX offers a very comfortable ride and folds quickly, and we think it’s one of the best e-bikes you can buy today. Fully Charged and Gocycle are just the latest to offer cycling support to NHS workers during the pandemic. Last week, Brompton bikes offered 200 bikes to health workers to use for 30 days with just a £1 fee, while a charity is offering NHS workers free use of e-bikes in Scotland’s Forth Valley. Uber has also offered up to 50 free rides of its electric Jump bikes for NHS workers with a cap of £10 per journey. The offer is valid in the London boroughs of Camden, Islington, Kensington, Chelsea and Hackney, and Chelsea. Outside of the world of cycling, there are other initiatives to help NHS workers. Uber, for example, has pledged to provide free trips and free meals for NHS workers, Mashable reports. Drivers will keep the full fare on trips provided, and Uber says it will provide them with hand sanitizer and surface spray to clean their vehicles.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199401/london-health-workers-ebike-free-loan-public-transport-coronavirus

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

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Andrew J. Hawkins

Everything you need to know about the USNS Comfort, the giant hospital ship in NYC

At 10AM ET on March 30th, the US Navy’s gigantic floating hospital ship, the USNS Comfort, arrived in New York City where it has been sent to help relieve the pressure on the city’s hospitals that are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. The Comfort’s 1,000 beds and 12 operating rooms will largely be used for non-coronavirus patients, freeing up much-needed space at the city’s overtaxed hospitals. The ship is typically used to support military campaigns and humanitarian crises abroad, along with earthquake and hurricane relief. Most recently, it was deployed to Latin America, helping countries with inadequate health care systems. It was last stationed in New York City after the 9/11 terrorist attacks where it helped treat hundreds of first responders. The ship has been around for over four decades and been deployed all around the world. Here is everything else you need to know about the USNS Comfort. It’s a converted oil tanker. The ship didn’t start out as a hospital ship, but as a San Clemente-class oil supertanker called the SS Rose City. It was built by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego in 1976. The US Navy purchased it in 1987, along with another supertanker, with the goal of converting both into Mercy-class hospital ships. The Comfort’s sister ship, the USNS Mercy, is currently being deployed to the West Coast. But as a converted oil tanker, moving patients around can prove difficult. The bulkheads used to separate the oil weren’t removed during the retrofitting, nor were hatches added to improve horizontal movement through the ship. Most of the movement of patients from one area to another must be made by going up to the deck first and then back down. Painted white with several prominent red crosses, the ship’s look is designed to illustrate its purpose and protect its crew and cargo against hostile attacks. The Geneva Convention protects hospital ships if they carry no munitions or weapons; any country that fires on one is charged with an international war crime. Welcome to New York, @USNSComfort.We knew from the outset that expanded hospital capacity was critical.We asked and the federal government answered.This ship is a step forward in our fight against Coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/r6Hj8NL9JH Comfort is a big ship — like, really big. The ship is around 100 feet tall, which is the size of a 10-story building. It has a deep draft — it displaces 70,473 tons of water — and, in many ports, it has to stand at least a mile offshore. Over 894 feet long (272 meters), the Comfort is about the length of three football fields and can travel at a speed of 17.5 knots (20.1 mph). To receive patients, the Comfort has a large helipad, with the capacity to land large, military-grade helicopters. The ship also has the ability to accept patients from other ships docked alongside. Comfort can be fully activated and crewed within five days. It can take a lot of patients. The Comfort has 1,000 beds, 500 of which are designated for minimal case needs, another 400 for intermediate cases, 20 for surgical recovery, and 80 for intensive care patients. Though the Comfort will be docked while in New York City, it was designed with a large rounded hull for improved stability for surgeries and other intensive procedures that needed to be performed at sea. But there’s a lot more to the Comfort than just beds. According to MilitaryFactory.com (which uses female pronouns to describe the ship): She is a complete medical facility that even includes a dental clinic, four x-ray machines and a CT scanner. A pair of oxygen-producing plants, an optometry lab and coolers to hold 5,000 units of blood are all part of her tool box. Comfort is a hospital that can sustain up to 2,000 people onboard, crew combined with patients, and supply much-needed water to both as she maintained a fresh water plant making up to 300,000 gallons of water a day. Other onboard services include a satellite lab and a central area for sterile causality receiving. A medical supply depot, along with a well-stocked pharmacy, are all included. Due to the nature of her work she has a large laundry operations and her own morgue. Amazing video captured by @madnessnyc of USNS Comfort arriving in New York Harbor @NY1 pic.twitter.com/hvlrPGmVje The Comfort has been to war zones and disasters alike. The ship has been to Haiti at least twice in recent years: once in 1994 to help process migrants who wanted to escape the unrest and again in 2010 after a magnitude 7 earthquake laid waste to the nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince. It has also been deployed to the Persian Gulf several times over the years. Stationed near Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in 1990, Comfort saw 8,700 patients, 2,100 helicopter landings, and 337 surgeries in its 12 operating rooms. It was also stationed there in 2002 during the US invasion of Iraq. In addition to 9/11, the Comfort has been deployed in US waters to help respond to various disasters. In 2005, the ship was sent to New Orleans and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region. The ship helped treat 2,000 patients during the seven weeks it was stationed in the Gulf of Mexico. Before arriving today in New York City, the ship was undergoing maintenance in Norfolk, Virginia, which the Pentagon originally estimated would take weeks to complete. But the Navy, working with the Army Corps of Engineers and the State Department, got the job done in eight days, according to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The need for additional hospital capacity in New York City is enormous. In addition to the Comfort, the city is also building field hospitals at the Javits Center and in Central Park.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199664/usns-comfort-hospital-ship-nyc-coronavirus-size-beds-history-navy

Science

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Chaim Gartenberg

MLB will stream classic games online for fans waiting out the delayed regular season

Baseball season might be indefinitely delayed, but MLB is doing its best to fill the baseball-shaped hole in fans’ hearts with a new “MLB At Home” initiative that will see classic games and events, like the Home Run Derby, streamed nightly on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. MLB already started streaming games last week for its “Opening Day At Home,” where it broadcast 30 games (featuring a momentous victory for each of the 30 MLB teams) to mark the missed start of the 2020 season. The new effort is effectively a continuation of that, as well as an effort to try to bring back some semblance of normal scheduling and give fans a regularly scheduled game to look forward to. The MLB At Home streams begin tonight, March 30th, at 7PM ET with a broadcast of the 2019 T-Mobile Home Run Derby from Cleveland. The full schedule for the coming week can be seen in the image below, too. MLB will continue to announce streaming schedules on a weekly basis, with plans to devote days to “special categories including dominant pitching performances, wild walk-offs/unlikely comebacks and Postseason classics.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200286/mlb-stream-classic-games-online-twitter-youtube-facebook-at-home-baseball-coronavirus

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Jay Peters

Valve will delay some Steam auto-updates to preserve bandwidth

Valve announced today that it won’t automatically update games in customers’ libraries as regularly as before to help preserve bandwidth during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Starting this week, Valve says Steam will only immediately auto-update games you’ve played in the last three days. Otherwise, Valve says Steam will be spreading out updates over several days. Steam had already been scheduling game updates for “the next off-peak local time period,” according to Valve, though if you want to update a game manually, you can still initiate that yourself. Valve already lets you schedule auto-update windows and even self-throttle your connection to Steam if you want to additionally optimize how much of your bandwidth Steam uses at any given time. Valve joins Sony and Microsoft in adjusting video game downloads to help reduce internet traffic while many people are self-quarantining at home. Sony announced it would slow down PlayStation game downloads in Europe on March 24th, and the company extended that policy to the US on March 27th. Microsoft said on March 28th that it’s working to “deliver higher-bandwidth activities like game updates during off-peak hours” in partnership with Xbox game publishers. Streaming video providers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, Netflix, YouTube, have also reduced streaming quality in an attempt to lower network traffic. Steam has broken its own concurrent user records multiple times this month, most recently having more than 23 million concurrent players over the weekend.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200235/valve-delay-steam-auto-updates-preserve-bandwidth-coronavirus

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Sam Byford

Resident Evil 3 remake review: fun while it lasts

If you’re of a similar disposition to the countless viewers who’ve been helping put things like Contagion in my Netflix recommendations, though, Resident Evil 3 might be just the ticket. It’s another blockbuster Resident Evil release from Capcom that does its part to continue the revitalization of the franchise. Unfortunately, Resident Evil 3 can’t quite live up to its predecessor. Last year’s Resident Evil 2 remake was incredibly good, blending old and new to create what I’m now comfortable calling my favorite Resident Evil game yet. Resident Evil 3 follows that same blueprint, but it ends up managing to feel both overly familiar and not familiar enough. Resident Evil 3 sees the return of original Resident Evil protagonist Jill Valentine in a story that plays out at the same time as Resident Evil 2. The PlayStation release was called Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, a reference to the iconic, unstoppable creature that pursues Jill throughout the game as she attempts to escape Raccoon City. That’s very much still the defining feature of the latest version’s plot. I really like what Capcom did with Jill’s character in this remake. Her visual design is, shall we say, considerably less ‘90s, and her sarcastic, irritable personality feels cathartic given both her situation and our own. Like its predecessor, the Resident Evil 3 remake script leans into the schlocky nature of its source material and comes out sounding far smarter and more confident. That’s on full display in the phenomenal one-shot opening sequence, which begins with Nemesis attacking Jill in her collapsing apartment building and ends with a spectacular flameout. Resident Evil 3 doesn’t really let up from there. It’s a much faster-paced game than Resident Evil 2, with a greater emphasis on action and far less focus on puzzle-solving or exploration. Ammo is in more plentiful supply, and the environments aren’t particularly creepy. I was expecting Nemesis to be more of an ever-present threat, like Mr. X in Resident Evil 2, but its role is mostly limited to scripted jump-scare sequences and boss fights. Beyond a couple of additions like a dodge move, Resident Evil 3 looks and plays more or less identically to 2. On the technical side of things, that’s not a bad thing; this is a visually stunning game, and Capcom continues to do amazing work with its RE Engine. But with its straightforward structure and reduced scope, Resident Evil 3 feels much less substantial. There’s nothing like the police station in Resident Evil 2, a satisfyingly sprawling area that you’d get to explore a little further with each solved puzzle or found item. In comparison, Resident Evil 3 tends to rush you through its small, linear stages. It looks and plays like Resident Evil 2 but sometimes feels more like Uncharted. To some extent, this was to be expected. The original Resident Evil 3, after all, was also a more action-oriented game that focused on Jill and reused certain environments from 2. Capcom’s shift in tone and design has been mirrored here in the remake. But there are also things that didn’t make it through. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis had several branching paths and different endings based on your decisions made in cutscenes, and those elements are totally absent here. That’s particularly unfortunate given the remake’s brief running time. Last year’s Resident Evil 2 wasn’t a long game, either, but it was very replayable. In fact, you really had to play through several times in order to get the full story, with multiple protagonists, story paths, and game modes. This is not so much the case with Resident Evil 3, which I finished in around five hours my first time through. Another person with early access to the game told me one of their later playthroughs took about a fifth as long. (I should note that, unlike a lot of games, this one does stop its timer whenever you pause, use the menus, or reload after dying. Steam tells me I spent closer to eight hours with Resident Evil 3 running before the credits rolled.) To be clear, Resident Evil is a series with a long history of speedrunning, something Capcom often encourages with scores and unlockable rewards. I wouldn’t hold 3’s short length against it if there were good reasons to get to the ending more than once. As far as I can tell, though, there kind of aren’t. Resident Evil 3 does include a separate asymmetrical 4-on-1 multiplayer game called RE Resistance, which could add some longevity to the package. I haven’t had a chance to check it out extensively, though, so I’d recommend waiting to see whether it takes off before considering it a selling point. It’s tough to turn games like this into a success, as evidenced by the likes of Evolve. Resident Evil 3 is out on April 3rd for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199382/resident-evil-3-remake-review-ps4-xbox-pc-2-capcom

Games Review

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Tom Warren

Microsoft aims to win back consumers with new Microsoft 365 subscriptions

Microsoft is unveiling its new Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions today, which are designed to replace and enhance existing Office 365 consumer plans. Much like the Office 365 Personal and Home subscriptions that exist today, Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans will be available on April 21st, priced at $6.99 per month for Personal (one person) and $9.99 a month for a Family (up to six people) subscription. Both options will include access to Office, and new features will gradually roll out in the months ahead. Microsoft 365 plans add two new features that will roll out in preview in the coming months: a new Microsoft Family Safety app and new features in Microsoft Teams for consumers. The new Microsoft Family Safety app is designed to allow families to share their location and manage screen time across multiple devices. Similar to Apple’s Find My app, Microsoft Family Safety can generate notifications when a family member leaves home, work, or school, and enables location sharing. Microsoft has even built a driving report feature into the app that allows parents to keep an eye on first-time drivers in a household. None of the information will be shared with third parties, but I can’t imagine many teenagers will be thrilled to have mom and dad tracking their driving habits. The Family Safety app can also manage screen time across traditional Windows PCs, Android devices, and even Xbox consoles, so it’s all synced into a single location and limits can be set centrally. While Skype is Microsoft’s primary communications app for consumers, it’s clear that the company is now focusing more on Microsoft Teams for both work and home. Microsoft is previewing new home features for Microsoft Teams that are now part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions. They’re designed to let friends and family connect in a group chat or through video calls, and share to-do lists, photos, and other content all in one location. Microsoft is aiming these new Teams features at people who plan trips with friends, or those organizing book clubs and social gatherings. It doesn’t mean Microsoft Teams will replace Skype for everything, but it’s clearly where a lot of Microsoft’s energy is focused right now. All of these Microsoft Teams home features will be available in preview in the summer, and available generally later this year. If you’re already an Office 365 subscriber, then you’ll be pleased to learn that Microsoft is adding a lot of Office-related features with this transition to Microsoft 365. Anyone will soon be able to access the existing Editor feature of Word, which is more of an advanced proofing service than the regular grammar and spellcheck features. Editor does things like improve your writing by flagging words that are used too frequently or teach you phrases to improve your writing style. Microsoft 365 subscribers will get access to more advanced grammar and style guides, including a rewrite option that offers to rephrase entire sentences. There’s even a similarity checker to prevent plagiarism and coax students to properly cite content. PowerPoint is also getting some exclusive features for Microsoft 365 consumers. The existing Presenter Coach feature, which helps people practice a slidedeck and avoid stuttering and swearing, is getting monotone pitch and speech refinement. Presenter coach will monitor your tone of voice and suggest variations and ways to improve your speech. Ultimately, it’s designed to make your presentations feel less boring. One of the other aspects of family life that Microsoft is trying to tackle with its consumer subscriptions is money budgeting. Money in Excel sees Microsoft return to its Microsoft Money personal finance management roots to make it easier to track and analyze spending in Excel. Microsoft will connect to your bank and credit card accounts to import transactions and balances and generate alerts for fees, changes, and monthly spend. It’s a feature that will become available first in the US in the coming months. Excel is also getting new data types to support things like food, places, movies, and even different types of pokémon. You could turn simple plain text like “tomato” into a food data type and track its nutritional information or compare different breeds of cats and dogs in tables. These new data types are powered by information from Wolfram Alpha and are exclusive to Microsoft 365 subscribers. Office Insiders will be able to start testing these data types in the spring before they roll out to all Microsoft 365 subscribers in the US in the coming months. Outlook is getting some love, too, with the ability to link your work and personal calendars on the web. Elsewhere in Office, Microsoft 365 subscribers also get exclusive access to more than 200 new templates and thousands of images and videos from Getty Images. Microsoft is also bundling in 300 new fonts and 2,800 new icons for use across Office. Microsoft is also unveiling a new Password Monitor feature for its Edge browser today. Despite rumors of a password manager being included in this new subscription, the Password Monitor will instead let you know if any passwords (stored in Edge) have been compromised in database breaches so you can change them easily. Edge is also getting a vertical tabs feature so you can stack your tabs at the side of the browser and a smart copy option that maintains formatting like text and tables when you’re pasting it elsewhere. Microsoft is also working with Adobe, Experian, Bark, Blinklist, and others to offer limited-time access to other premium consumer subscriptions. Thirty-eight million people are currently subscribed to Office 365 Personal and Home, and those subscriptions will automatically transfer over to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family next month. It’s a base of users that has been steadily growing each year, and Microsoft had around 12.4 million subscribers five years ago. There’s clearly a lot here that improves the existing Office 365 subscriptions, and it’s impressive that Microsoft is keeping the cost the same. Microsoft has been working on this new “modern life” subscription approach for nearly two years, and the fresh focus comes after the company killed off many of its troubled consumer pushes in recent years. Microsoft previously killed off its Groove Music service, officially discontinued Kinect, scrapped its Microsoft Band fitness device, and finally admitted Windows Phone is dead. Cortana has also transitioned to be productivity-focused, all while Microsoft has become more focused on improving its products that resonate with consumers. Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions are clear evidence of the company’s recent direction. Instead of launching a Spotify competitor or something to take on TikTok or whatever is the latest and greatest app, Microsoft has taken a step back and is trying to add value where it matters. It’s a different approach that relies on a balance of work and life and a niche area where Microsoft is uniquely positioned to provide services that respect privacy and are focused on productivity.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199376/microsoft-365-subscriptions-office-family-safety-app-teams-features-price

Microsoft

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Chaim Gartenberg

Go read about how the original Xbox creator baked ancient Egyptian-style bread with 4,000-year-old yeast

As more people are faced with endless hours at home due to self-quarantine and social distancing, there’s been a surge in home bread baking show-and-tell on the internet over the past few days. But it’s safe to say that no one has been baking bread quite like Seamus Blackley, who finally has achieved his goal to re-create ancient Egyptian bread using yeast cultivated from samples that were over 4,000 years old and traditional tools and techniques dating back to that time period. Today I achieved* something that I’ve been trying to do for a year. The slice of bread here was made with leavening cultures sampled from ancient Egyptian baking vessels, using ancient Emmer wheat, with an ancient Egyptian recipe, using ancient Egyptian baking tools, and NO OVEN. pic.twitter.com/msZpvlyK0F The thread is actually a culmination of Blackley’s year-long efforts to bake bread using yeast cultivated by samples obtained from ancient pottery since their porous structures helped preserve some of the original microorganisms. (Blackley, when not trying to re-create ancient breads, is better known as one of the creators of the original Xbox and the man behind the infamous “Duke” controller.) As Blackley explains on Twitter, the most recent development in the project saw the team build a custom, conical clay pot called a “bedja” to bake the bread outside in a series of fire pits, resulting in what’s likely the most authentic ancient Egyptian bread baked in thousands of years. An additional thread from Serena Love, the Egyptologist working with Blackley on the project, explains why the experiment is so significant and how archeologists have even figured out how ancient Egyptians baked in the first place. The entire journey is worth a read, starting with Blackley’s original thread from last July In it, he describes the process in which he, Love, and Richard Bowman (the microbiologist who also worked on the project) worked together to sample the yeast and revive it to a live culture. A subsequent thread in August details when Blackley baked with it for the first time. Just now, the dormant yeast I collected this week from Ancient Egyptian artifacts (with help from @drserenalove and @rbowman1234) is being fed grain for the first time in four and a half thousand years. Here is the story: #AncientBaking @ClubYeast pic.twitter.com/dSpWFSPCCf Two weeks ago, with the help of Egyptologist @drserenalove and Microbiologist @rbowman1234, I went to Boston’s MFA and @Harvard’s @peabodymuseum to attempt collecting 4,500 year old yeast from Ancient Egyptian pottery. Today, I baked with some of it... pic.twitter.com/143aKe6M3b

https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2020/3/30/21199544/seamus-blackley-xbox-creator-ancient-egyptian-bread-4000-year-old-yeast-culture

Science

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Bijan Stephen

Twitch is experiencing an outage right now

Twitch, the live-streaming behemoth, is down for a lot of people right now. More users than ever have been tuning in since the COVID-19 pandemic sent everyone indoors; it’s tough to say whether today’s outage is because of server strain or something else entirely. For its part, Twitch says it’s looking into the problem. We are investigating an issue that is causing the site not to load properly. We will update you when we know more. Right now, when I try to load the site’s homepage, I don’t see anything in the front-page carousel, and the only things that are loading are the left navigation bar where your live followed channels live, along with recommendations for channels you might like, and Twitch’s most popular categories. It’s not yet clear whether you’ll be able to start a stream. That said: individual channels that were already live appear to be loading and streaming normally, and for some users, full service has been restored. There’s no word yet on when the site will return to normal functionality, but we’ll update this piece when we know more.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200121/twitch-site-down-live-streaming-site-coronavirus-quarantine

Web

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Kim Lyons

Twitter removes tweets by Brazil, Venezuela presidents for violating COVID-19 content rules

Twitter has made good — so far — on its pledge to crack down on tweets that contain false or misleading information about COVID-19 cures. The platform has deleted tweets by the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for violating its ban on novel coronavirus-related content that “goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information.” “We’re focused on protecting the public conversation and helping people find authoritative sources of information on Twitter. There have been a number of measures we’ve taken in regard to COVID-19,” a Twitter spokesperson said in an email to The Verge. “We’ll continue to review and require the removal of Tweets that do not follow the Twitter Rules. This is an evolving global conversation and we’re committed to remaining vigilant.” President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil had two tweets removed on Sunday which included videos of him endorsing hydroxychloroquine and calling for an end to social-distancing efforts, BuzzFeed News reported. Both chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are still unproven as potential treatment options for COVID-19. Bolsonaro said in one of the videos that he has been hearing from Brazilians that they want to return to work. “Brazil cannot stop or we’ll turn into Venezuela.” Facebook also removed a video of Bolsonaro from its main social network and Instagram on Monday, according to BBC News Brasil. “We remove content on Facebook and Instagram that violates our Community Standards, which do not allow misinformation that could lead to physical harm,” said Facebook in a statement about the removal to The Verge. Facebook removed the video because of Bolsonaro’s endorsement of hydroxychloroquine, reports BuzzFeed News’ Ryan Mac. The company confirmed that reasoning to The Verge. Facebook tells me that it removed a video from Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro because he noted in it that choloroquine is an effective treatment everywhere.https://t.co/xZVRDmNikv Twitter had earlier removed a tweet by Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro (which is probably not what Bolsonaro was referring to) that endorsed a “brew” that would “eliminate the infectious genes” of the novel coronavirus. Twitter has had a long-standing position against removing tweets by world leaders unless the tweets violated Twitter’s rules with no room for interpretation, as BuzzFeed News notes. And on Friday, Twitter removed a tweet from Giuliani which quoted a tweet by conservative writer Charlie Kirk suggesting that hydroxychloroquine had a “100% effective rate treating COVID-19,” Mediaite reported. Kirk’s tweets were also deleted. Twitter outlined its COVID-19 policies in a blog post on March 4th, stating that it was taking a “zero-tolerance approach to platform manipulation and any other attempts to abuse our service at this critical juncture.” It’s since removed misleading COVID-19 tweets by the likes of actress Alyssa Milano and businessman John McAfee. It also locked The Federalist’s Twitter handle after it promoted tweets endorsing so-called coronavirus chicken pox parties where people would deliberately expose themselves to infection. This is not recommended by medical authorities. Update March 30th, 8:01PM ET: Added confirmation that Facebook removed Bolsonaro’s video because of his endorsement of hydroxychloroquine.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199845/twitter-tweets-brazil-venezuela-presidents-covid-19-coronavirus-jair-bolsonaro-maduro

Policy

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Tom Warren

Microsoft’s new Edge vertical tabs look ideal for 16:9 screens

Microsoft unveiled its new Microsoft 365 subscription plans today and some new Edge browser features. The biggest new addition is vertical tabs for Edge, which will allow users to stack tabs at the side of the browser instead of the traditional long list of tabs at the top. While it might look a little peculiar at first, it will be ideal for 16:9 monitors and laptops. Websites typically look stretched out on these types of displays, with a lot of wasted vertical space. If you’re using a 3:2 display, then the regular tabs will likely be more efficient. You’ll be able to click to switch between tabs like you normally do or group tabs together and move them into the vertical list. Most vertical tab features in browsers like Firefox or Chrome require an add-in these days, despite early implementations of vertical tabs many years ago. Microsoft claims it’s now “the only browser that allows you to manage your tabs on the side with a single click.” The vertical tabs are expected to come to beta and canary versions of Edge within the next few months, so you won’t be able to try this new feature for a while yet.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199819/microsoft-edge-vertical-tabs-feature-chromium

Microsoft

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Sean O'Kane

Ford will make ventilators for GE, joining General Motors

Ford is the latest automaker to announce that it will start making desperately needed ventilators that are crucial for treating the worst symptoms of COVID-19. The automaker announced Monday that it will manufacture ventilators for General Electric’s health care division, which has licensed a “simplified” design that does not need electricity from a Florida ventilator company called Airon — and one that is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Ford has already been working with GE to increase production of its own ventilators, and will soon start helping Airon increase the company’s production capacity in Florida. The automaker is already helping make masks and protective hoods for health care workers. Ford will pay 500 United Auto Workers-represented volunteer employees to build the ventilators at one of the automaker’s components factories in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which is currently shut down due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The company will build the ventilators “around the clock” starting the week of April 20th. Ford says it expects to be able to build 1,500 of them by the end of April, 12,000 by the end of May, and 50,000 by July, eventually reaching a rate of 30,000 per month. Adrian Price, director of Ford’s global manufacturing core engineering division, said Ford and GE Healthcare believe the unpowered ventilator design is “absolutely robust in terms of its capability.” Perhaps more importantly, Price said it’s a simple design that can be quickly scaled up. When it comes to protecting the workers who will build the ventilators, Ford says it’s working with the UAW to make sure they’re properly screened and set far enough apart so they don’t risk spreading the novel coronavirus. The company will also use barriers, shields and protective devices as well. Price said the automaker is “also looking at deploying some new technology that can can help us in in the fight on COVID,” but did not go into any further detail. Ford has already lost two employees to COVID-19 in the US, and fellow Detroit automaker Fiat Chrysler has lost four. Ford joins fellow Detroit automaker General Motors in helping make ventilators, which are expected to be in short supply as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the US and around the world. GM announced on Friday that it will start manufacturing more complicated ventilators in April on behalf of Ventec Life Systems, hours before President Trump announced he was invoking the Korean War-era Defense Production Act to force the automaker to help with the shortage. GM plans to eventually make 10,000 powered ventilators per month, but will start with “hundreds” in April, according to Ventec. Tesla is also examining how to help manufacture ventilators for a company called Medtronic, and has even bought some from China to send to hospitals in the meantime. Earlier on Monday, the rocket-launching arm of Richard Branson’s space company announced it has also developed a device that could help patients who are having trouble breathing due to COVID-19. In response to the need for ventilators, as well as the economic impact of the pandemic, a number of workers in GE’s aviation division decided to protest cuts the company made on Monday. The union workers called on the company to let them make ventilators instead. GE Healthcare is already a large manufacturer of ventilators. When asked why GE Healthcare is tapping Ford to make these ventilators instead of its own workers, Tom Westrick, the division’s vice president and chief quality officer, said: “Our decision to select Ford was based specifically on speed, and our ability to increase capacity as fast as we could.” Correction: An earlier version of this story claimed the GE aviation workers stopped work. The protest happened outside the facility while they were off duty. We regret the error.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200216/ford-ge-ventilators-coronavirus-covid-19-manufacturing

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Kim Lyons

Instacart claims ‘absolutely no impact’ from planned workers’ strike

Grocery delivery company Instacart said today that a planned work stoppage by its shoppers had “absolutely no impact on Instacart’s operations” and claims it sold more groceries over the past 72 hours “than ever before.” “Today, we saw 40 percent more shoppers on the platform compared to the same day and time last week,” the company said in a statement emailed to The Verge. “In the last week alone, 250,000 new people signed up to become Instacart full-service shoppers and 50,000 of them have already started shopping on the platform.” Last week, Instacart shoppers, who are largely contract gig workers not eligible for benefits, said they would refuse new orders today because they did not think the company had done enough to protect them during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Some Instacart workers, like a group that unionized in February in the Chicago suburb of Skokie, are in-store part- and full-time workers, separate from standard contract shoppers.) The shoppers want Instacart to provide protective gear such as hand sanitizer, add a $5-per-order hazard payment, and expand its sick leave policy. Instacart said late Sunday it had made and was planning to distribute hand sanitizer to all shoppers who wanted it. The company announced March 9th it was giving 14 days of paid leave to any part-time workers or shoppers who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been put into mandatory quarantine. It later extended that benefit through May 8th. Instacart also introduced a bonus program, additional promotions for full-service shoppers to earn more based on regional demand, and updated the tipping option in its app. In a statement Sunday, the workers called the hand sanitizer and tip adjustments “a sick joke,” adding that the tip structure was likely to “provide no meaningful benefit to shoppers.” Instacart has announced plans to hire 300,000 new shoppers due to the overwhelming demand for grocery delivery during the COVID-19 outbreak. We reached out to the organizers of the work stoppage and will update if we hear back.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200348/instacart-strike-coronavirus-no-impact

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Nick Statt

Airbnb further extends refund window to May 31st and sets aside $250 million for hosts

Airbnb has further extended its full cancellation policy due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and has set aside $250 million to help pay hosts for missed or canceled bookings, according to a letter sent to Airbnb hosts on Monday, which the company shared with The Verge. CNBC was first to report the news earlier today. Now, guests who had previously booked stays on the platform with a check-in between March 14th and May 31st are now eligible for full refunds under the company’s “extenuating circumstances” policy, regardless of the host’s cancellation preference so long as the booking was made before March 14th. And Airbnb will now use the funds it set aside to ensure hosts can recoup some of the lost money. Prior to this announcement, Airbnb had expanded its “extenuating circumstances” policy to cover bookings between March 14th and April 1st; the company later expanded that coverage again to cover bookings made up to April 14th. Still, it did not have any form of coverage for hosts, some of whom were enraged that Airbnb was overriding their cancellation preferences and not providing any form of financial safety net. That’s because the refunds Airbnb promised guests started coming from the hosts, not the company itself. Now, Airbnb says it will provide its own assistance, and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky apologized for the sloppy messaging around the policy changes this past month. “I deeply regret the way we communicated this decision, and I am sorry that we did not consult you — like partners should,” Chesky writes in the letter. “We have heard from you and we know we have let you down. You deserve better from us.” Airbnb has also donated $10 million to a fund to help its “superhosts” and those who’ve been offering Airbnb’s tour guide-style Experiences. Hosts can apply for $5,000 grants from the fund starting next month. “Trust is the foundation of a partnership, and it is built over time. We know that we have some work to do in strengthening yours, but it’s our priority and we are committed to it. When travel comes back — and it will — we look forward to welcoming millions of guests together again,” Chesky adds. Because its business is entirely dependent on travel and tourism, Airbnb has been one of the hardest hit tech platforms during the coronavirus pandemic. The company has seen mass cancellations due to a mix of strict travel restrictions, countless countries advising or ordering citizens to self-isolate, and the cancellation of virtually every event involving mass gatherings of people in the US and other countries around the world. The White House on Sunday extended its federal guidelines for social distancing in the US to April 30th, signaling that many cities throughout the country will do the same in short order. According to the most recent data, the US has more than 160,000 confirmed cases and more than 3,000 deaths, making it the new global epicenter of the pandemic.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200430/airbnb-cancellation-policy-coronavirus-covid-may-31-pay-hosts

Apps

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Natt Garun

Free Zoom backgrounds you can use to disguise your messy remote work rooms

Now that people are finding themselves working remotely or setting up virtual parties to chat with friends and family while maintaining social distance, Zoom is quickly becoming the go-to source for those gatherings. But when you spend days quarantining at home, cleaning up for a Zoom call might be the last thing on your mind. Verge reviews editor Barbara Krasnoff has already told you how you can make use of Zoom’s custom background tool to hide messy backdrops or running children and pets. But if you need some resources on what backgrounds to use as your virtual teleconferencing room, here are a few places to browse, plus some of The Verge staff’s favorites. Canva is a design resource service, and it’s offered several free templates for you to use on Zoom to customize your virtual space. Choose from animated backgrounds (a word of warning that these will require more processing power to run smoothly) or static images like your astrological sign or a custom placard with your name and title. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Conference Call Bingo. Unsplash is a free resource for high-quality stock images, and these have become super handy to use as Zoom backgrounds. Whether you want to replicate a workspace, “hang” in your favorite coffee shop, or pretend you’re on the beach, Unsplash probably has something that suits the mood. Redesigning your home at this moment might be a bit difficult, so e-interior design service Modsy has rendered a few pop culture homes for you to live in on Zoom. Pick from Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from Sex and the City, your favorite Friends lofts, Seinfeld living rooms, and more. We’re an eclectic bunch, so let some of my colleagues explain the reasons behind their favorite Zoom backgrounds that they’re sharing to create calm — or, in some cases, absolute chaos. If you want to feel like you’re in an ‘80s yearbook, we’ve got two options for you: Headshot Gray and True ‘80s. I’d love to see a whole Zoom meeting of people posing like they’re taking their high school photos with this background. Feel free to cuddle a cat or dog to spice it up. —Michele Doying, multimedia designer Use this background to pretend like you’re playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons when you’re actually working. And let’s be real, you’re really thinking about your island while you’re on that Zoom call, anyway. —Jay Peters, news writer Show everyone what a true Zoom enthusiast you are by living inside a giant virtual Zoom call. —Jake Kastrenakes, reports editor Let’s face it. If you’re working from home then it’s only a matter of time before one of your video calls gets interrupted by a pet / small child / housemate / significant other / all of the above. So why not get ahead of the curve and use your Zoom virtual background to ruin your own call with one of the most famous photobombs of all time? Robert Kelly’s daughter made international headlines when she swaggered through her father’s study door as he talked on BBC News, and now, thanks to the magic of virtual backgrounds, you can relive the magic on every call. Bonus points if you can be bothered to photoshop Kelly out for a completely immersive experience. —Jon Porter, international news writer Pee-wee Herman has been Zooming on Magic Screen for decades. We can honor him with the Playhouse background. —Andrew Marino, audio engineer it's all fun and games until you walk in on yourself eating bad quesadilla on a @zoom_us meeting pic.twitter.com/oJEbEOHzns This is not technically one you can easily download, but you can make your own by recording a video of yourself (or anything else, really) and making a GIF out of it to use as your Zoom background. (Here’s the guide to making a GIF, if you don’t know how to go about it.) Nailed it. https://t.co/Bolz8CX5z0 pic.twitter.com/ZvqkPD3tay I’m a fan of former Vox Media engineer / Mailchimp manager David Zhou’s rendition, where he walks in on himself casually enjoying a snack. Or combine a mix of stock / meme videos and your GIF making abilities like our Dieter Bohn has for extremely unnerving results. —Natt Garun, senior reviewer Who doesn’t identify with Confused Travolta in these trying times? Not only can you also look confused about anything and everything happening around you right now, but the meme is also a great way to pretend like you have a version of Mia Wallace’s vintage reel to reel tape deck in your living room. —Nick Statt, news editor

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199628/zoom-backgrounds-free-virtual-conference-calls-video-remote-work

How-to

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Jon Porter

Facebook invests $100M in journalism as COVID-19 makes it more vital than ever

Facebook has pledged to invest $100 million in the news industry at a time when the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means that accurate reporting is more important than ever. $25 million will be provided in grant funding for local news through the Facebook Journalism Project, while the remaining $75 million will come in the form of “additional marketing spend” to worldwide news organizations. Publishers are expected to be hit hard by the economic fallout of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The advertising revenue that many publishers rely on is being squeezed, as companies slash marketing budgets amidst financial uncertainty. Research firm eMarketer has lowered its growth projections for worldwide media ad spend by 3 percent, SearchEngineLand reports, while Reuters has reported that the virus could cost the US advertising industry billions of dollars in lost revenue. At the same time, high-quality and accurate reporting is more important than ever, as misinformation about the virus spreads online. “If people needed more proof that local journalism is a vital public service, they’re getting it now,” Facebook says in its press release. The company has pledged to do its bit to remove the misinformation that’s posted on its platform, but the crisis is also putting pressure on its own moderation teams. There is so much misinformation that one fact-checking organization, Snopes, has been forced to scale back its routine content production or else risk overwhelming its staff. Facebook says that it plans to concentrate its grants on the publishers that need them the most in the hardest hit countries in the world. It announced the first series of grants last week, when it said that it would be giving $5,000 to 50 local newsrooms across the US and Canada to cover “unexpected costs” associated with covering the viral outbreak. The $100 million comes in addition to the $300 million Facebook pledged to spend on news programs, partnerships, and content at the beginning of 2019. Facebook said it planned to invest that $300 million over the course of three years. Later that year it launched a program to help local news organizations boost digital subscriptions, and also announced plans to spend £4.5 million on training local journalists in the UK. Facebook says that usage of its services including private messaging and video calling are surging during the pandemic, as people self-isolate and connect with distant friends and family. However, Facebook is also seeing the same reduction in ad spending as other online businesses. “Our business is being adversely affected like so many others around the world,” it said in a blog post.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199358/facebook-investment-journalism-grants-100-million-dollars-advertising-spend

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Josh Dzieza

Amazon warehouse workers walk out in rising tide of COVID-19 protests

Workers at Amazon’s Staten Island, New York, fulfillment center walked out today to protest the company’s response to COVID-19 infections among its warehouse employees. Amazon has confirmed one case of COVID-19 at the New York facility, but workers say there have been at least 10 and that the company has failed to notify workers or properly clean the warehouse. Now, they are calling for Amazon to shut down the facility for two weeks for deep cleaning. “The goal is to get that building shut down, and they will shut it down, because no packages, nothing gets out the building without associates,” says Derrick Palmer, who has worked at the facility, JFK8, for four and a half years. “This is a pandemic. People are literally losing their lives because of this virus. And [Amazon is] not taking this seriously. They’re not giving us our respect that we demand. We’re not going to ask for it. We’re going to demand it, because at the end of the day, we’re the heart and soul of that building, not the managers. They’re back in the office. We’re in the front lines working.” Workers at 19 US Amazon warehouses have tested positive for COVID-19, according to local news reports. So far, Amazon has closed facilities only when forced to do so by government order or worker protest. Last week, the company indefinitely closed a returns processing warehouse in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, after three workers tested positive and the governor ordered it shuttered. On March 18th, a sortation center in Queens, New York, was temporarily closed for cleaning after workers walked out upon learning of a positive COVID-19 case. Employees learned about the case from co-workers and say they had been expected to come to work. The failure to notify workers when someone at a facility tests positive appears to be systemic. Last week, The Verge spoke with workers at several warehouses across the US who learned of COVID-19 cases from co-workers. At JFK8, Palmer says the first case was confirmed on March 12th, but workers were only told several days afterward when managers walked the floor and told employees in person. But the facility is staffed by more than 4,000 workers and is 855,000 square feet, so many learned of the incident through hearsay much later. Amazon has a strong infrastructure for keeping its warehouse employees informed. For example, when the company announces mandatory overtime, Palmer points out, the company sends out texts and emails to every worker. “With this incident, they have not sent out one text — nothing at all,” Palmer says. Amazon says it has intensified the cleaning of its warehouses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but workers at JFK8 and elsewhere say the measures fall far short of what’s needed. Palmer says shifts of about a dozen cleaners work at JFK8, too few to properly disinfect such an enormous building. (Workers in other warehouses in the US have expressed similar concerns about understaffing of cleaning crews.) While Amazon has stopped daily stand-up meetings and staggered schedules to minimize workers clustering together, certain roles in the warehouse, like the packing department, still require employees to stand in close proximity, and workers often pass items between each other. “The way that the department is set up, everyone is on top of each other,” Palmer says. “It is literally impossible to maintain the social distance within those departments, and they haven’t been practiced, they haven’t tried to adjust that at all because there’s no way they can do it.” In Italy and Spain, where COVID-19 outbreaks have been spreading longer, Amazon refused to shut down facilities after workers became infected, prompting protests. Earlier this month, a group of senators wrote a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos expressing concern for the safety of Amazon workers and asking, among other things, whether the company would temporarily shut down facilities and provide paid leave for workers if someone tests positive for COVID-19. A petition among workers calling for a similar approach has garnered more than 1,500 signatures. The workers at JFK8 are also calling for paid leave while the facility is shut down for cleaning. In a statement, Amazon called the workers’ claims “unfounded” and said its employees are “heroes.” The company is taking worker safety extremely seriously and has instituted several changes, the company said, including intensifying cleaning and screening worker temperatures. Regarding closing buildings, the company said it consults with health authorities and medical experts, and if a diagnosed worker hasn’t been in the building for some time or if the area where they worked has already been cleaned during the regular course of business, the facility may not need to be closed. The pandemic has shown a spotlight on the role of workers at Amazon, Instacart, and other goods-delivering tech companies. No longer laboring in the background of digital interfaces, they’re increasingly being recognized as frontline workers providing a vital service to millions of Americans who are being told to stay home. Both companies are trying to hire tens of thousands more people to meet surging demand. Amazon is giving its workers letters to carry saying they are “essential” employees, delivering “critical supplies directly to the doorsteps of people who need them” and should be allowed to continue their jobs amid shutdowns. But the pandemic also exposes these workers to new risks, and workers say companies have been slow to adjust policies and protections. Instacart and Amazon now offer workers diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed into quarantine two weeks’ paid leave, but that doesn’t help workers who have COVID-19 symptoms but can’t get tested. Amazon warehouses have been optimized for speed and efficiency, and workers say the intense pace leaves them little time to use cleaning material that is often in short supply. Today, Instacart workers are going on strike, calling for expanded sick leave, hazard pay, and protective equipment. Workers at Whole Foods, which is also owned by Amazon and faces unprecedented demand for delivery, are striking tomorrow. JFK8 marks the first major action at an Amazon fulfillment center, and workers at Amazon warehouses across the country have expressed similar concerns. Shutting down a fulfillment center for a prolonged period would threaten Amazon’s ability to continue delivering products, but refusing to do so and failing to assure employees their safety is being taken seriously pose potentially greater threats to the company. Already, workers are staying home rather than venturing into crowded warehouses, choosing to forgo pay that Amazon recently increased rather than risk getting infected. Delivery times for some items now stretch to a month or more. Now, at JFK8, workers frustrated with the company’s coronavirus response are trying to shut down the facility themselves. Around 1PM on March 30th, workers filed out of the New York warehouse, many wearing masks and bandanas over their faces. “Alexa, please shut down and sanitize the building,” read one of the signs. On a live stream of the protest, workers expressed frustration with not being told about infections at the warehouse and said many were choosing to stay home without pay. “We’re not done here. Today was a cry for help,” said Chris Smalls, a worker at the facility and one of the walkout organizers, wearing a black bandana as he addressed protesters. “Today was a win for us, but it’s a battle and the war is not over. We’re going to go to City Hall possibly tomorrow morning. We’ve got to get the government’s attention. Just like in Kentucky, the government has to step in and close the building down.” Update March 30th, 8:00PM ET: After the protest, Amazon fired Chris Smalls, one of the organizers of the walkout. The company said Smalls was fired for violating safety regulations, including violating a 14-day quarantine after coming in contact with an employee diagnosed with COVID-19. Smalls disputed the company’s claim and said he was fired for retaliation. “I am outraged and disappointed, but I’m not shocked,” Smalls said in a statement. “As usual, Amazon would rather sweep a problem under the rug than act to keep workers and working communities safe.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199942/amazon-warehouse-coronavirus-covid-new-york-protest-walkout

US & World

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Sam Byford

Sony delays almost its entire movie lineup into next year

Sony is the latest movie studio to announce major changes to its release slate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by Variety. Tentpole movies like Uncharted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Peter Rabbit 2 are all seeing big delays, leaving Kevin Hart’s Fatherhood as one of the only major titles on Sony’s 2020 schedule — and that was itself brought forward to October from January. The upcoming third Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-Man movie appears to be unaffected; the Far from Home sequel’s release date was already set as July 16, 2021. Sony’s planned July 2020 movies, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Jared Leto’s Morbius, have both been moved into next March. Sony’s drastic schedule changes suggest the company does not see movie theaters reopening until the end of summer or later. Other studios have made more cautious adjustments — Warner Bros, for example, moved Wonder Woman 1984 to August 14th from its planned June 5th release date. Disney’s Mulan has been indefinitely delayed, while new James Bond movie No Time to Die is now set for November.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200663/sony-movies-coronavirus-release-date-delays

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Adi Robertson

Defense Distributed’s 3D-printed gun files are back online

3D-printed firearms company Defcad has released a trove of gun-making blueprints, only to approved US residents. According to The Wall Street Journal, Defcad is selling access for a $50 annual fee, which director Cody Wilson describes as a “Netflix for guns” model. The company has temporarily released blueprints before. Under the Obama administration, the plan ran afoul of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) rules that prevent exporting weapons abroad. The Trump administration offered significantly more leeway, but its approval has been tied up in legal battles. Now, Wilson tells the Journal that he’s vetting everyone who wants to access the files, using geolocation and other technical measures to ensure they’re located in the US. Defcad’s library (created as part of the broader Defense Distributed project) offered 3,680 files at launch and plans to add thousands more, although the Journal notes that some are already in the public domain. Its terms of use forbid prominent critics from accessing the system, including law enforcement agencies in several states as well as news outlet The Trace, which focuses on reporting gun violence. Among other things, the files could let users 3D-print plastic guns without serial numbers — a possibility that has worried gun control advocates and some state attorneys general since it could make the guns more difficult to detect and trace. The practical effects of this new system, however, are unclear. Defcad previously evaded the ban by mailing gun files to customers, and its blueprints were downloaded thousands of times when they appeared online in 2018, so they’ve been circulating for some time. The vetting system may not be technically airtight either, even if Wilson describes it as “impervious” to legal challenge. He acknowledges that a user could download files and share them with someone else. But he contends that “it’s not quite living in reality to assume that you can 100 percent secure information that’s online.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199519/defense-distributed-defcad-3d-printed-gun-library-launch-vetting

Policy

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Taylor Lyles

OpenTable will allow people to reserve shopping times at supermarkets

OpenTable wants to let you reserve shopping times at supermarkets to help decrease overcrowding and make stores safer for shoppers. OpenTable’s new tool will allow you to choose a vacant time slot or join a waitlist at partnered supermarkets and other essential businesses, much like setting up a reservation at a restaurant. Currently, seven partners across Los Angeles and San Francisco — six restaurants turn pop-up markets plus one local grocery store are using the new feature, but OpenTable told The Verge it is in “active talks with other national grocers/retailers.” The COVID-19 pandemic has put a significant strain on grocery stores. As an essential shop, they can receive a high volume of customers, which can be dangerous for many individuals and can increase the probability of spreading the virus. Some businesses, such as Walmart, have imposed special shopping hours to allow people over the age of 60 to come in and shop one hour early before opening officially for the public. OpenTable’s tool could help alleviate the high volume of customers, while also providing a safer environment for shoppers picking up essential household staples, if it can get more stores (and customers) to use it.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199658/opentable-reserve-shopping-times-supermarkets

Web

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Jacob Kastrenakes

Comcast says voice and video calls have skyrocketed 212 percent during widespread self-isolation

Voice and video calls have more than tripled on Comcast’s network over the past month since people across the US started working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a blog post this afternoon, Comcast said traffic for that category is up 212 percent in total, with overall peak traffic on its network up by 32 percent. In some cities, like San Francisco and Seattle, Comcast says peak traffic is up closer to 60 percent. The numbers quantify a trend that’s been plainly obvious to anyone working or going to school from home in recent weeks. Video chats — particularly over Zoom — have become a regular occurrence, as offices and universities look for new ways to hold meetings and classes. Yoga, parties, and dates are all happening over Zoom right now. Comcast says it’s seen other major shifts in data usage over the past month to accommodate working from home. Uploads are now at their peak throughout the workday, whereas they used to spike in the evening. And as you’d expect, streaming video and gaming have seen increases, too. Video consumption is up 38 percent, and game downloads are up 50 percent on Comcast’s network. AT&T is seeing an increase in usage of its network, too. Last week, it saw weekday traffic increases of around 30 percent month over month, with a spike in texting and Wi-Fi calling. Both Comcast and AT&T said that, despite the increases in usage, their networks are doing just fine. AT&T writes that its network is “performing well.” For Comcast, the additional traffic is “well within the capabilities of the network,” Tony Werner, Comcast’s tech leader, said on a call with reporters this afternoon. While streaming video companies have reduced their streaming quality across Europe to address bandwidth issues, Werner says Comcast hasn’t asked for similar treatment in the US and doesn’t need it. “We have not seen an issue up to this point,” he said. Streaming video data is heaviest on weekends, he said, so it’s less likely to interfere with people working from home. Disclosure: Comcast is an investor in Vox Media, The Verge’s parent company. Correction March 30th, 5:45PM ET: AT&T’s traffic increases were around 30 percent last week on weekdays. This story initially highlighted a 19 percent mont-over-month increase, which occurred on a Sunday, without specifying the day.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200040/comcast-video-chats-voip-traffic-spikes-coronavirus-work-from-home

Mobile

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Jon Porter

OnePlus 8 to be announced on April 14th

The OnePlus 8 will be announced on April 14th during an online live stream, the company announced today. OnePlus says the lineup will consist of a “full series of 5G devices,” and there will be a handset with a 120Hz display in the lineup, up from the 90Hz displays found on some of its phones last year. Two main devices are expected to be launched at the event, the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, although recent reports have claimed that they may be joined by a cheaper third device called the “OnePlus Z.” Beyond the official details provided by OnePlus about its new devices, there have been a number of leaks and rumors about what the company plans to introduce in its latest phones. Reports have claimed that the devices will finally support wireless charging after OnePlus joined the Wireless Power Consortium back in January and that the “Pro” version of the phone will also feature an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, marking the first time a OnePlus device has received an official IP rating. The #OnePlus8Series is coming. April 14. In terms of design, the phones are expected to ditch the pop-up selfie camera found in last year’s Pro devices in favor of hole-punch notches. Leaks have claimed that the device will be available in green, black, and a fluorescent “interstellar glow” color. Around the back, the Pro is expected to include four rear cameras, while the standard OnePlus 8 could have just three. You’ll be able to watch the launch on the OnePlus website as well as via the company’s YouTube channel. The launch is scheduled to start at 11AM ET on April 14th. Correction: This piece originally referred to the OnePlus 8 series as the company’s “eighth generation” of phones. However, the company skipped the OnePlus 4, making the OnePlus 8 the seventh numbered phone in the series.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199489/oneplus-8-pro-launch-date-online-live-stream-wireless-charging-5g

Mobile

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Chaim Gartenberg

Good Job! lets you chaotically smash through your office complex from home

Good Job! was one of the multiple titles Nintendo surprise-dropped in its Nintendo Direct Mini presentation last week, and it arguably couldn’t have come out at a better time. It’s a lighthearted and chaotic puzzle game set at an office complex that’s a perfect, bite-sized replacement for anyone missing their day-to-day work life. The brightly animated world appears to be based on road or safety signs, and puts players in the role of a featureless caution sign person who we’re told is the “clumsy” child of the company CEO. You start off — literally — at the bottom, working your way up through the company by completing puzzles in the charming, isometric office environments. Each level assigns players a simple office task to perform, like sorting packages or setting up a projector. The environments are highly detailed, with plenty of objects scattered throughout the floor plan, nearly all of which can be moved, thrown, or smashed. In theory, the goal is to accomplish your objective as quickly as possible, while causing a minimum amount of property damage to your father’s company. There was a moment, playing an early level of Good Job!, when I could feel those two gameplay paths diverging. The “right” way to solve the puzzle was to carefully walk the projector I needed down the stairs and plug it in. I had figured out the solution of plugs and cables needed to get all the doors open with a minimal amount of destruction. It would have been simple to complete the level. But what I actually did was stretch a plug across a doorway and use it to fling the projector through a wall, a plate glass window, and the unsuspecting audience below in a show of rubble. Your co-workers at the company certainly seem to have no preference as to how you achieve the goal, which makes standing in the wreckage of a conference room with scattered couches and shelves somehow even funnier. The nice part of Good Job! is that the game seems to be equally willing to reward both styles of play. Complete a mission slowly but conscientiously, and it’ll grade you well for avoiding breaking objects and causing a minimal amount of damage. Smash your way through the cartoonish physics to achieve your goal, and it’ll grade you well for speed. There’s a co-op mode, too, which theoretically lets players speed through the levels more efficiently, with the chance to strategically work together to complete objectives. In practice, this usually tends to just mean twice the slapstick chaos, with two people flinging office furniture through walls instead of one. It’s a great game for the moment, where many people are stuck at home looking for entertainment. Miss the day-to-day hustle and bustle of your 9-to-5 cubicle or loading dock? Good Job! will scratch that itch — or at least let you take out your frustrations in chaotic fashion by destroying the office complex you can’t get to. Each level is also just a few minutes long, making it a great choice to pick up and play if you need a quick break from working from home. Good Job! is available now on the Nintendo Switch.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199997/good-job-nintendo-switch-puzzle-office-isometric-chaos-work-review

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Monica Chin

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review: AMD has rewritten the rules

But the age of the ultraportable is here. There’s now a 2.01-pound laptop with six cores, there’s a 3.3-pound laptop with a discrete GPU, and a 5-pound laptop is considered to be on the heavy side. Each year, we’re expecting lighter notebooks that can do more — and as productivity laptops move in that direction, so are the gaming machines. We’re getting our first look at the 4900HS in its quintessential use case: the $1,449 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. Somehow, Asus crammed a 4900HS and an Nvidia RTX 2060 Max-Q into a 14-inch notebook that weighs just over 3.5 pounds. It also has 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 120Hz display. It’s unusual to see such powerful hardware in such a small chassis: the G14 is the smallest Zephyrus gaming laptop Asus has ever made, and it’s also one of the few 14-inch laptops to pair an H-series processor with a discrete GPU. (You can get the same model with a Ryzen 7 4800HS, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and the less-powerful GTX 1660 TI Max-Q for $1,299, or go down to 8GB of RAM, a GTX 1650, and a 60Hz screen for $1,049.) I’m happy to say that the G14 delivers. The laptop is fantastic for productivity, and it’s a lot of fun to use. The 4900HS and 2060 Max-Q duo can handle demanding games like Red Dead Redemption II and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. As with any gaming rig, you’ll make some trade-offs for that performance. But in the grand scheme of things, the sacrifices that the G14 asks are small. I’ll start by talking about the gaming experience since that’s probably what you care most about if you clicked on this review. Fear not: it’s good. It’s as good as you’d expect from an H-Series processor, a 2060 Max-Q, and a 120Hz screen. CS:GO averaged 216fps on maximum settings, with a low of 49. Motion was smooth, and I could see individual dust particles and sparks flying from various things I shot. The more graphically intensive Shadow of the Tomb Raider was also playable on the highest settings (with ray tracing off), averaging around 74fps with a minimum of 58. The play was also quite smooth and scenery, from bright towns to dark jungles, looked great. I suspect cooling is holding the G14 back somewhat. The 4900HS got pretty hot under demanding titles; it hit 98 degrees Celsius during my 80-minute session of Red Dead, and 97 during my hour-long session of Tomb Raider. That’s not unexpected from a 14-inch laptop running AAA titles, but a laptop with the same hardware but better cooling would probably see better results. Now, for all the other stuff. Asus has nicely refined its retro aesthetic. If there were laptops in Battlestar Galactica, they would look like the G14. A dot matrix covers half of the lid — these can function as an LED display that can show GIFS, the time, and other neat effects, but that model won’t be available for a few more weeks. On the non-LED model, they’re still a cool design. Like many thinner laptops, the G14’s screen folds under the deck when you open it, lifting the keyboard a bit above the ground. This, in theory, helps with cooling by allowing air to better circulate, and it also hides a chunk of the screen’s enormous bottom bezel. Some people find these types of hinge uncomfortable in their laps, but I had no problem with this one, which is blunt and rounded. The port selection is serviceable: two USB-C, two USB-A, an HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The G14 can charge via USB-C, but there’s also a jack for Asus’ 180W adaptor if you don’t want to take up a port. There’s no Thunderbolt 3, unsurprisingly, since that’s Intel’s proprietary standard. This is an unfortunate downside of using an AMD system for the time being, though the G14’s HDMI and DisplayPort capabilities give you other options for connecting to peripherals. This probably won’t surprise you if you’ve owned a smaller gaming laptop before, but if you plan to use the G14 for browsing and productivity, the largest trade-off you’re making is screen quality. The notebook has a 1920 x 1080 screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is par for the course with smaller gaming machines. You’re not likely to see many 14-inch 120Hz panels at any higher resolution, and a 4K panel would be a big ask of the 2060 Max-Q. That means the G14’s screen is excellent for gaming, and it’s not bad for video-watching either. It’s matte and kicks back almost no glare. Dark scenes from Altered Carbon looked great, even in bright rooms. Some lighter tones (such as a wedding dress and Joel Kinnaman’s skin) had a greenish tint to them, but it’s not noticeable if you’re not looking for it. (The screen covers 100 percent of the SRGB spectrum and 75.35 percent of Adobe RGB.) I saw a lot more glare outdoors, but it’s usable there in a pinch. The downside is that if you plan on doing a lot of browsing or productivity work, you’ll be more cramped than you would on a 3:2 display such as that of Huawei’s MateBook 13. I had to zoom out to 70 to 80 percent to comfortably work two windows side by side. You can also switch to Asus’ “Silent” profile, which makes the fans inaudible. I was worried that muffling the fans would cause the 4900HS to fry itself, but browsing in this profile was still very doable. You won’t want to use this mode for intensive gaming, of course, but even while running several Chrome tabs and a number of other programs, including Slack, Spotify, and a couple of benchmarks, the G14 was downright cold in my lap, and the CPU didn’t pass 35 degrees Celsius. Speaking of the touchpad and keyboard, they are both great. The Windows Precision Trackpad is a good size and very easy to press. The keys are clicky with decent travel, without being loud enough to annoy officemates. The deck is sturdy, with very little flex. The labels do retain Asus’ sci-fi font that looks like it belongs in a Johnny Rockets restaurant; you can take your own view on that design choice. I also like that the G14 has a separate panel containing the volume controls and a key that mutes or unmutes the microphone, as well as a slightly less helpful button that opens Asus’ control panel. I never thought I’d be saying this about a gaming laptop, but the battery life is also very good. During my normal workday of swapping between a dozen Chrome tabs, running Slack, and occasionally streaming Netflix or Spotify at 50 percent brightness and a balanced battery profile, I got around 8 hours and 50 minutes of juice. That means the G14 can make it through a workday on battery and can handle a long bus or plane ride as well. The device took 41 minutes to charge up to 60 percent on Asus’ plug and 53 minutes to do the same via USB-C. Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate. As with other Windows 10 computers, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 presents you with multiple things to agree to or decline upon setup. The mandatory policies, for which an agreement is required, are: In addition, there is a slew of optional things to agree to: Add it all up, and there are five mandatory agreements and 13 optional ones. Of course, don’t expect to be doing much gaming on battery. Red Dead on high settings ran around 18 to 20fps when the G14 wasn’t plugged in, dropping down to the low teens at around 40 percent, and the low single digits at 10 percent. I got an hour and 38 minutes of gaming on a charge. At the end of the day, the Zephyrus G14 can handle the multitasking you need it to. The keyboard, touchpad, and battery life are superb. If you don’t mind a low-resolution screen and fans that you can hear, you’ll be happy with the G14 as your primary device. (If those are deal-breakers for you, though, you’ll need something else for browsing and work.) The Ryzen-powered G14 weighs just a bit more than the Stealth GTX and it games better. I see no reason to buy the Stealth GTX or any pricier gaming ultraportable when this laptop exists. AMD has rewritten the rules of what a gaming laptop can be. Correction: An earlier version of this story stated the G14 was the smallest laptop AMD has ever made. The laptop is made by Asus. We regret the error. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21197761/asus-rog-zephyrus-g14-review-gaming-laptop-specs-features-price

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Loren Grush

Virgin Orbit plans to mass-produce new medical breathing device to help fight coronavirus pandemic

Richard Branson’s aerospace company Virgin Orbit, which is primarily focused on developing rockets to launch small satellites into space, is shifting gears during the coronavirus pandemic and has created a new medical device to help health care workers treat patients with COVID-19. The company is hoping to mass-produce the new device after receiving the necessary approvals from the FDA. The device that Virgin Orbit has created is one that can help people get much-needed oxygen when they’re short of breath. The machine automatically pumps what are known as ambulatory bags, which emergency responders squeeze manually to pump air into a patient’s lungs. The idea is that these machines will pump the bags on their own for patients who need oxygen but don’t need to be hooked up to a ventilator. That will then free up ventilators for people who need them most, as well as free up the time of responders and health care workers to treat patients who are in critical need. The idea for the device came after Virgin Orbit employees started looking for ways to help with the COVID-19 response. “[We] said hey, we’re not doctors, and we’re not medical device manufacturers; that’s not the background we come from, and we have enormous respect for those people,” Will Pomerantz, vice president of special projects at Virgin Orbit, tells The Verge. “But on the other hand, we’ve got a lot of engineers; we’ve got a great factory; and we’ve got a great fabrication facility machine shop. There must be something we can try.” The company reached out to California governor Gavin Newsom, who put the team in touch with the California Emergency Medical Services Authority. The organization turned Virgin Orbit over to the Bridge Ventilator Consortium, which includes researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the University of Texas, Austin. They provided guidance on what kinds of devices would most benefit the medical community right now. After consulting with them, Virgin Orbit employees started to home in on ideas for devices that could be made as simply as possible, as quickly as possible, and as cheaply as possible to fill in the gaps in the health care system. They ultimately came up with this automatic pump and started building it with materials and tools already located at the company’s factory in Long Beach, California. “We largely started from scratch on the simple device that goes and squeezes that bag in a reliable pattern,” says Pomerantz. The device provides a similar function to one created by MIT, but Pomerantz says the Virgin Orbit machine is largely original to the company. Virgin Orbit is still open for business in California as it has been deemed an essential business by the state, due to the company’s contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. In normal times, the company is mostly focused on developing its new rocket, called LauncherOne, which is designed to launch satellites the size of washing machines into orbit. LauncherOne is meant to take off from underneath the wing of a giant 747 airplane that Virgin Orbit owns called Cosmic Girl. The rocket has yet to fly, but Virgin Orbit is aiming to conduct the first test launch this year (though there will undoubtedly be impacts to the schedule because of the pandemic). While employees at the company are still working on-site to get LauncherOne ready for its debut, other employees will also start mass-producing the new medical device once Virgin Orbit gets clearance from the FDA. Virgin Orbit says that it has a talented team of both mechanical and software engineers working on the device. “A nice bonus was we defined a few members of our staff who had at previous stops in their career worked on medical devices,” says Pomerantz. “And so they were a little bit more familiar with some of the terminology, and some of the different specifications that the industry was looking at.” Virgin Orbit isn’t the only company pivoting to medical devices right now. Companies like Dyson, Tesla, General Motors, Ford, and more have all committed to mass-producing critical tools like ventilators as patients overwhelm hospitals throughout the US. The plan for Virgin Orbit is to make the devices while they’re needed for the pandemic, but the company doesn’t have any long-term ambitions of getting into the medical device business. “We want to get these things to hospitals as quickly as possible, get this crisis over, and then keep on building rockets,” says Pomerantz.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199940/virgin-orbit-rocket-launch-satellites-breathing-medical-device-coronavirus-pandemic

Science

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Dani Deahl

Leaked image shows Apple’s Logic Pro X getting GarageBand iOS features

It looks like big updates are coming to Apple’s professional music software, Logic Pro X. Yesterday, a Reddit user noticed that Apple’s education products webpage showed a version of Logic with ported functions from Logic Pro X’s little software brother, GarageBand. The image has since been replaced on Apple’s website, but a cache of the page on Wayback Machine confirms it’s real. Even though GarageBand and Logic Pro X are both music-making DAWs (digital audio workstations), there are a lot of fundamental differences. GarageBand is free, fairly easy to use, and works on both iOS and desktop. Meanwhile, Logic Pro X is a $199 desktop-only software designed for professionals. The two programs already talk to each other to a degree, which is useful. You can use GarageBand on your phone to add layers to an existing Logic Pro X project or start a project in GarageBand and finish it in Logic Pro X. But it’s not a seamless experience, and each has unique features the other doesn’t support. For example, exporting a Logic Pro X file to GarageBand bounces the entire thing as a stereo audio file. And GarageBand iOS has a bunch of tools for making music with screen tapping — like Beat Sequencer and Live Loops — that don’t appear in the desktop version or in Logic Pro X. The image that Apple mistakenly published shows GarageBand’s Live Loops function and XY effects pads operating in Logic Pro X. In GarageBand, Live Loops is used to build musical ideas by layering loops of audio or MIDI in a cell grid. It’s a pattern-based way of making music, similar to hardware like an MPC or Native Instruments’ Maschine, and even more similar to the clips view in Ableton Live (a software competitor to Logic Pro X). This suggests that the next version of Logic will have GarageBand iOS tools, and there could be greater flexibility when transferring projects between the two programs. Making GarageBand’s mobile tools available to Logic Pro X on desktop is a bigger deal than just “porting features.” GarageBand is a wholly different program than Logic even if they are both used for making music. For someone who uses both, any updates that help to mirror workflows and preserve projects when moving between the two programs is massive. Plus, people just love writing beats by tapping around in Live Loops. It’s a fast and intuitive way to sketch out ideas and then further work on them in Logic Pro X. It’s worth pointing out that Apple’s big competitors in the pro music-making software space don’t have mobile counterparts, so deeper compatibility between GarageBand’s mobile experience and Logic Pro X’s desktop experience would be a notable differentiator. So, according to Apple’s mockup, it looks like the next version of Logic Pro X will bring over GarageBand’s Live Loops and XY effects pads. It’s a guess as to whether the rest of GarageBand’s iOS-specific tools will be included, along with the ability for these two programs to handshake on transferring audio in more sophisticated ways. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199822/apple-logic-pro-x-leaked-image-garageband-ios-features-live-loops

Apple

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Ashley Carman

This fingerprint-verified smart lock can be foiled by a magnet

Tapplock, a company that makes fingerprint-verified locks, has had a rough time with its locks’ security. The company’s flagship lock, which has been available since 2019, is apparently easy to pop open with a magnet. YouTuber LockPickingLawyer published a video last week showing how he could use a powerful magnet to turn the motor inside the Tapplock One Plus, causing it to open. The entire process takes less than 30 seconds. The Tapplock One Plus costs $99 and features a fingerprint sensor. It also has built-in Bluetooth, so people can unlock it using an app. In response to the video, Tapplock commented: “Wow! Shout out to LPL for finding this exploit. Working on a fix with magnetic shielding, will be back.” This is a commendable reply, although it doesn’t do much for people who already bought the lock. Most companies ignore bug reports or fail to fix the flaw. It at least seems like Tapplock wants to figure out how to prevent this kind of attack. That said, the company’s earlier fingerprint smart lock had its own security issues. In 2018, YouTuber JerryRigEverything proved he could pull the lock apart using just a sticky GoPro mount, while cybersecurity company PenTest Partners found that the actual code and digital authentication methods for the lock were essentially nonexistent. All someone would need to unlock the lock is its Bluetooth Low Energy MAC address, which the lock itself broadcasts. PenTest Partners also snapped the lock with a pair of 12-inch bolt cutters. Ultimately, it’s a good thing people are putting these locks through security tests. That’s one of the only ways companies can find out if their products are flawed, and Tapplock being open to the feedback is even better.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199640/tapplock-one-smart-lock-fingerprint-hack

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Jay Peters

Stack Overflow is getting a dark mode, its most upvoted feature request ever

Stack Overflow, the popular question and answer site for developers and software engineers, announced a new dark mode today. The company says the mode has been the site’s most upvoted feature request ever. It looks like, well, a dark mode. Here’s a screenshot, provided by Stack Overflow: You can turn on dark mode by clicking on your profile, “Edit profile and settings,” and “preferences,” the company tells The Verge. Making dark mode took almost a year, but work accelerated on it earlier this year after an engineer had an idea to launch an “ultra dark mode” as a joke at an internal hackathon, the company says. Work on the ultra dark mode contributed to the actual dark mode that’s here today. The company is also launching that ultra dark mode as an Easter egg, which will be available from April 1st through April 3rd. Here’s what that looks like if you’re curious. It doesn’t seem that useful to me, but it is indeed very dark. Stack Overflow plans to bring dark mode out of beta by the end of the second quarter of this year. If you want to turn on system-wide dark mode on your iOS, Android, macOS, or Windows 10 devices while you’re browsing Stack Overflow, you can follow our guide right here.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21197458/stack-overflow-dark-mode-ultra-beta-settings

Web

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Julia Alexander

The Office’s John Krasinski launched a YouTube channel dedicated to good news

John Krasinski, best known for playing Jim Halpert on NBC’s The Office, is back behind a desk and talking into a camera — this time, in a video on his new YouTube channel dedicated to sharing good news. The show is exactly what it sounds like: Krasinski will talk about a few heartwarming, good stories that people might be looking for right now while stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are stories about the support cities around the world have shown health care workers from their own apartments, clapping and cheering out their windows. There are stories about a homeowner making a delivery driver’s day by leaving gifts on the porch. There are even stories about a man who purchased 100 lobsters in Maine to help a local fisherman. It’s an adorable video, made all the cuter by Krasinski’s sincerity. “I’m John Krasinski, and if it isn’t clear yet, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing,” he says. THAT WHAT I CALL RELAXING IN THE OFFICE JOHN KRASINSKI ‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/LJzzAQqGjY But since this is John Krasinski, there are a few guest appearances that make it a little more than a regular vlog. Krasinski is joined halfway in by Steve Carell, who played opposite him in The Office. The show just celebrated its 15-year-anniversary, and the two spoke a little about being on the series together, the lasting success it’s had, and their favorite scenes. Then, toward the end of the video, Krasinski talks to a teenager who went viral over the weekend. Courtney “Coco” Johnson returned home from her last chemotherapy treatment last week and was surprised by a group of her friends welcoming her back — from a safe social distance. “I wrote to your mom and told her that I cried for a very long time after watching that, just pure joy,” Krasinski tells her. “You guys rock for sharing that with the rest of the world.” Krasinski isn’t the first celebrity to turn to YouTube during the pandemic, but he is one of the first to do so just for fun. Late-night comedians like Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert have uploaded daily “mini” versions of their shows from home. Like the late-night hosts, Krasinski’s tech setup isn’t superb by any stretch of the imagination. The artwork is drawn by his daughters, there’s no microphone for Krasinski to speak into, and it kind of looks like he’s filming with a low-grade webcam. That only adds to the appeal of the video. This isn’t a big production designed to garner millions of subscribers and land top sponsorships. Although, at the time of this writing, Krasinski’s channel has more than 335,000 subscribers. His video also landed at the top of YouTube’s Trending page and amassed more than 3.1 million views. Krasinski is vlogging because that’s a way for him to connect with people. Like Meyers, Fallon, Kimmel, and Colbert, creating maintains a sense of normalcy for otherwise extremely busy people, and uploading helps distract people who are stuck at home from what’s happening. In many ways, Krasinski is the quintessential YouTuber: someone with the time, audience, and desire to make videos, directly from his home and without a big production team. It’s unclear how often Krasinski will vlog, but he ends the first episode teasing that new episodes will be uploaded to the channel. The only thing missing is a sign-off from The Office actor asking people to like and subscribe.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21200161/john-krasinski-youtube-some-good-news-office-steve-carell-michael-scott-coronavirus

Web

The Verge

2020-03-30 00:00:00

2020

3.0

30

Monica Chin

Acer’s upcoming laptops will include AMD Ryzen 4000 mobile processors

Acer has announced that it will release a new version of its Aspire 5 laptop this year, powered by AMD’s Ryzen 5 4500U mobile chip. The company has also revealed the release date for its Ryzen-powered Swift 3. With both lines, Acer aims to provide fairly slim products at an affordable price; reviewers often note that the devices look and feel more expensive than they are. The U-Series, which both laptops incorporate, is designed for ultraportable devices. The 14-inch Swift 3 includes the 15W Ryzen 7 4700U, with eight cores, eight threads, and 2.0 GHz base speeds that can boost up to 4.1 GHz. It’s comprised of an aluminum chassis and a magnesium-aluminum lid; the company describes it as “svelte and stylish.” It also includes up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, as well as a 1080p display. Acer promises 11.5 hours of battery life. Intel and AMD are going head-to-head in a number of laptops this year, and if AMD isn’t your speed, you can also currently buy a configuration with Intel’s 10th-Gen Core i5 processors. The Ryzen-powered Swift 3 starts at $629 and will be available in April. The 15.6-inch Aspire 5 features up to 24GB of RAM and an SSD of up to 1TB. It’s cheaper than the Swift 3, but doesn’t pack quite as much power; the 15W 4500OU has six cores, six threads, and 2.3 GHz clock speeds that can boost up to 4.0 GHz. (The Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 demarkations line up with Intel’s Core i5 and Core i7, respectively). Acer is marketing the Aspire 5 as a budget option for families and small businesses. The Aspire 5’s AMD configuration starts at $519, and will hit stores in June. You can also purchase the Aspire 5 now with Intel’s 10th-Gen Core i7 and Core i5 chips.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21198734/acer-swift-3-aspire-5-amd-ryzen-4000-mobile-processors

Microsoft

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Jon Porter

Samsung Display is getting out of the LCD business

Samsung Display will stop producing LCD panels by the end of the year. The display maker currently runs two LCD production lines in South Korea and two in China, according to Reuters. Samsung tells The Verge that the decision will accelerate the company’s move towards quantum dot displays, while ZDNet reports that its future quantum dot TVs will use OLED rather than LCD panels. The decision comes as LCD panel prices are said to be falling worldwide. Last year, Nikkei reported that Chinese competitors are ramping up production of LCD screens, even as demand for TVs weakens globally. Samsung Display isn’t the only manufacturer to have closed down LCD production lines. LG Display announced it would be ending LCD production in South Korea by the end of the 2020 as well. Last October Samsung Display announced a five-year 13.1 trillion won (around $10.7 billion) investment in quantum dot technology for its upcoming TVs, as it shifts production away from LCDs. However, Samsung’s existing quantum dot or QLED TVs still use LCD panels behind their quantum dot layer. Samsung is also working on developing self-emissive quantum-dot diodes, which would remove the need for a separate layer. Samsung’s investment in OLED TVs has also been reported by The Elec. The company is no stranger to OLED technology for handhelds, but it exited the large OLED panel market half a decade ago, allowing rival LG Display to dominate ever since. Although Samsung Display says that it will be able to continue supplying its existing LCD orders through the end of the year, there are questions about what Samsung Electronics, the largest TV manufacturer in the world, will use in its LCD TVs going forward. Samsung told The Verge that it does not expect the shutdown to affect its LCD-based QLED TV lineup. So for the near-term, nothing changes. One alternative is that Samsung buys its LCD panels from suppliers like TCL-owned CSOT and AUO, which already supply panels for Samsung TVs. Last year The Elec reported that Samsung could close all its South Korean LCD production lines, and make up the difference with panels bought from Chinese manufacturers like CSOT, which Samsung Display has invested in. Samsung has also been showing off its MicroLED display technology at recent trade shows, which uses self-emissive LED diodes to produce its pixels. However, in 2019 Samsung predicted that the technology was two or three years away from being viable for use in a consumer product.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21200859/samsung-display-ending-lcd-panel-production-quantum-dot-oled-south-korea-china-factories

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Andrew Marino

We need to start modeling alternative futures

We’re continuing our Vergecast interview series remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and this week, Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel sits down via Skype with Amy Webb, the founder and CEO of The Future Today Institute. Amy is also a professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business and recently came out with a book called The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity. The Future Today Institute recently published the 2020 Tech Trends Report, which is a quantitative look at the big trends that will dominate the future. Nilay and Amy discuss the different paths the report takes on predicting that, with the state of technology use today, there’s no future in which we are not being scored. Amy and Nilay also discuss whether we could have predicted the scale of the COVID-19 outbreak in the US, as well as how possible it is to predict a solution and a timeline for that solution right now. Below is an excerpt of the conversation edited for clarity. Nilay Patel: We’re in the middle of a pandemic. It’s here, it’s happening. It feels like no one knows what’s going to happen next, or is this something that you’re able to model or understand? Amy Webb: So I don’t want to get too nerdy here, but if you have a discrete set of data — like Johns Hopkins [University] has discrete datasets now going back to December because we’ve seen corona outbreaks in a couple of areas around the world that have lasted a little longer than what we’re seeing in the US. So given what we know to be true, and the data that they have access to, and all of the other variables over which they would have some kind of control — like whether or not we take aggressive measures in the United States today, whether or not we somehow have a whole bunch of tests, things like that. If you look at historic data trends and then all the stuff that over which we have control, you could predict a handful of plausible outcomes that tell us a little bit more about how many people could get sick at what rate and what the mortality could look like. But most of the time, we’re talking about areas of life over which we don’t have complete control. There’s no way to have total control because there’s too many variables at play. And at that point, the math doesn’t work. You can have the most powerful computers in the world, but the computations don’t work out. You would need a continual stream of data that’s really comprehensive and evolutionary algorithms in order to make sense of it all. So we’re feeling huge amounts of anxiety about coronavirus, about the oil prices tanking. I liken this to that sense of out of controlness, if you’ve ever driven on a slippery road. If you’re driving and you hit an icy patch, most people, their instinct is to slam on the brakes. And why do we slam on the brakes? Because the act of slamming on the brakes makes us feel like we have control again. And the reason we feel like we have control is because we think we know what the future is going to be. If we slam on the brakes, the car will stop, we will be fine. That would work if you were in charge of every single variable at that moment in time, but you’re not. So slamming on the brakes and really, really, really hoping things don’t change from where they are right now or that they’re going to be like they used to be is a really great way to set yourself up not only for a crash — because that’s how you really lose control of a car — but it’s also a good way to set yourself up for disappointment. And that kind of thing has — when we extrapolate that to society — has reverberating effects. So right now what I’m observing is sort of a feverish corporate anxiety. I’m seeing governmental anxiety, and companies, just like people, have limbic systems. What do you mean by a limbic system? So it’s the fight or flight part of our bodies that evolution bestowed upon us millennia ago so that we didn’t get eaten by tigers or whatever. And we’re hearing people talk a lot about their sort of crushing anxiety, and I get that. I’m going to be the first person to tell you if you gave me all the data in the world and all the computers in the world, at this moment in time I cannot tell you what things are going to look like in three months. And that’s fine because that tells us we still have some agency. Futurists are trained to think through plausible outcomes, not so that we can accurately predict what’s next, because that’s not our goal right now. Our goal is not predictions. It’s being prepared for what comes next. And that’s good news. The good news is if you are willing to lean into uncertainty and to accept the fact that you can’t control everything, but also you are not helpless in whatever comes next. If you’re willing to adopt — and anybody can do this, it costs no money. It’s just a different perspective. If you’re willing to think more like a futurist, which is to say confront your cherished beliefs, lean into uncertainty, and be nimble with how you think, you’re going to get through this. The challenge is that I’m seeing the sort of corporate anxiety which, once you get on a cycle of that, is hard to stop. Companies start making weird decisions or they slam on their brakes. I mean, we’ve seen a bunch of that over the past couple of weeks. This is as much an opportunity to identify risk as it is to think through where are effective measures that we could be taking to not just help out everybody else but help our bottom line. There’s a lot of opportunity here. I mentioned this to you guys earlier: I’m politically independent, but I’m a pragmatist, and my greatest fear right now is that the Trump administration are nowists. They are not futurists. They think only about what’s good for them right now. They are absolutely unwilling to think long term and they are absolutely unwilling to make short-term sacrifices. In the past, that has resulted in entertaining tweet storms, that has resulted in irritations. This time around, it’s going to result in people dying. And we have to be willing to confront the fact now that, without being alarmist, without being emotional, we just have to be willing to confront alternative futures. We have to right now be willing to accept uncertainty and to think the unthinkable. And right now, that means accepting the possibility that by the end of the summer 2 million Americans could die. And if that’s a plausible future state, then how do we work backward to create a better outcome? In New York, stuff is shut down for a couple of weeks. In some ways that’s going to help flatten the curve as people are now saying. But that’s a short-term solution that doesn’t address a longer-term issue. And the real problem here is a psychological one because we’re going to get to the end of those two weeks and I think people are going to feel as though the virus should be gone and it’s not going to be. So we have an opportunity now — individually, collectively — to start mapping out alternative futures. They don’t all have to be dystopian. There are lots of really awesome things that could also happen as a result of this. For example, we’re starting to see huge investments in synthetic biology and new ways of using AI as a way to speed scientific discovery. That’s amazing because on the end of this, we could wind up with precision medication, we could wind up with synthetic agriculture as a way to mitigate climate change. There are going to be some good things on the other end of it. And now is the time to start thinking through “where is there risk, where is there opportunity, and how can we start modeling alternative futures?” The Vergecast

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201103/amy-webb-futurist-predictions-interview-vergecast-podcast

Podcasts

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Sean O'Kane

Tesla created a ‘public health risk’ by keeping car factory open, official said

Tesla announced on March 19th that it would temporarily shut down its electric car factory in California, after back-and-forth with local officials about whether the plant was subject to a county-wide coronavirus shelter-in-place order. But the Silicon Valley automaker fought to keep the factory open after that announcement as well, according to new emails obtained by Protocol. It also came after the county’s health officer decided that keeping the plant open was a “public health risk.” The emails were sent by the local police chief to Tesla’s senior policy advisor, Dan Chia. Each one includes a letter memorializing calls and virtual meetings between Tesla and local city and county officials. They help shed light on the deliberations between the company and the authorities about whether the factory was an “essential business,” which would have allowed it to stay open following the county-wide (and eventually state-wide) shelter-in-place orders meant to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Tesla’s argument to those local officials, and to its own workers, has been that the company believes it should be considered “national critical infrastructure,” according to public guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA. CISA issued guidelines outlining what it considered to be critical infrastructure in 2015 that included “vehicles and commercial ships manufacturing.” But in a March 28th memorandum about the novel coronavirus pandemic, vehicle manufacturing is not specifically listed in the “critical manufacturing” section of CISA’s guidance. At the same time that Tesla was making this argument, every other major automaker ceased manufacturing operations in the US. Tesla tried to convince city and county officials of this in the days leading up to the shutdown announcement, and asked to be deemed an “essential business” so it could keep producing the Model 3, Model S, Model X, and the Model Y (which the company had just started delivering) at the California factory. Kimberly Petersen, the chief of police in Fremont, California (where the factory is located), told Chia on March 18th that the county’s interim health officer had decided Tesla’s factory was not essential, according to the emails, meaning it would have to abide by the March 16th shelter-in-place order and stop operations. The county health officer also told the city that keeping the manufacturing plant open and making the 10,000 or so workers report in would be a “public health risk,” though it’s unclear in the emails if this was specifically communicated to Tesla. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The next day, Chia and a number of other Tesla executives told the city in a virtual meeting that the company would comply with the order. “I would like to reiterate that the City of Fremont highly values Tesla as a partner and appreciates what you do for our economy and our community,” Petersen wrote in her email memorializing the meeting, which was dated March 21st. “We are extremely grateful for your willingness to collaborate in our fight against the spread of COVID-19 by placing public health ahead of all other priorities.” Later that day, though, Chia told the deputy city manager that he felt Petersen’s letter was “not fully accurate,” and the two sides had another virtual meeting on March 22nd. During that meeting, Tesla’s acting general counsel told the city that he believed the state-wide shelter-in-place order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom superseded the county order, and that the language of the state order left room for Tesla to remain open. In another memo sent to Tesla on March 22nd, Petersen writes that she nonetheless felt “bound to uphold [the county health officer’s] interpretation” of the county-wide order. Tesla ultimately decided to keep winding down its operations at the factory, save for basic operations like payroll. It also told the city that it would keep bringing in some factory workers to perform so-called “end-of-line” work, and the Fremont police department found Tesla to be “in compliance” during a post-shutdown inspection, as was first reported by The Verge last week. The company has since gone on to scale back operations at the Gigafactory in Nevada by more than 75 percent, and has also shut down its solar panel factory in New York. Curiously, Petersen told Tesla in one of the emails that if the company “transition[ed] to manufacturing ventilators, or other equipment intended to aid in the fight against COVID-19,” it could have kept the factory open. Tesla is currently sourcing and delivering desperately needed ventilators in California and New York, along with surgical masks, and CEO Elon Musk has said he wants to manufacture ventilators with help from Medtronic. But Musk has said he plans to make the ventilators at Tesla’s New York factory, not in California.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201651/tesla-fremont-factory-covid-19-coronavirus-shutdown-shelter-in-place

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Casey Newton

The US government should disclose how it’s using location data to fight the coronavirus

The Interface is a daily column and newsletter about the intersection of social media and democracy. Subscribe here. Last week, we talked about the case for the government using location data gleaned from our smartphones to manage the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taiwan, Israel, and England have all been using location data in various ways to understand the spread of the disease and, in some cases, enforce orders requiring citizens to isolate themselves. Any such project comes with the risk that temporary infringements on our privacy will become permanent. I expected the debate about location data might unfold over the next few weeks as the coronavirus reaches more communities and its death toll surges. Instead, though, the United States government just went ahead and started analyzing our smartphone location data. The data is reportedly being supplied by mobile advertising companies, and is being shared with the Centers for Disease Control as well as state and local governments. Byron Tau had the scoop at the Wall Street Journal: The aim is to create a portal for federal, state and local officials that contains geolocation data in what could be as many as 500 cities across the U.S., one of the people said, to help plan the epidemic response. The data—which is stripped of identifying information like the name of a phone’s owner—could help officials learn how coronavirus is spreading around the country and help blunt its advance. It shows which retail establishments, parks and other public spaces are still drawing crowds that could risk accelerating the transmission of the virus, according to people familiar with the matter. In one such case, researchers found that New Yorkers were congregating in large numbers in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and handed that information over to local authorities, one person said. Warning notices have been posted at parks in New York City, but they haven’t been closed. The story goes on to note that location data can reveal whether citizens are complying with orders to stay at home — and, by tracking the decline in foot traffic to retail stores, begin to quantify the pandemic’s impact on the economy. Anyway, this all happened rather fast. (It happened before the Washington Post could even publish its survey of tech experts about whether America should use location in this way. A slim majority voted that America should not. Sorry!) And, as Violet Blue notes at Engadget, it happened without our explicit consent. The Journal story explains that the government was able to get data from mobile ad companies rather than US telecom providers because telecoms’ use of data is highly regulated, whereas ad companies’ is not. Blue writes that other countries using location data took a more forthright approach — one that may be less likely to spook people away from getting tested, for example. Blue writes: The countries with the best balance of privacy and virus tracing are containing it, namely South Korea and Taiwan. In fact, most of the countries showing success with coronavirus tracing have unique, current legislation specific to pandemics with provisions on data collection. The laws in Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan meet the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standards. These countries are thinking about what will happen in the days after we all survive the novel coronavirus, and acknowledge that it’s a terrible idea to unbraid privacy from healthcare. In South Korea and Taiwan, two countries who’ve done well to push back against the virus without the draconian tech-surveillance measures of China and Israel, legislation around data collection includes oversight and transparency for its citizens. “For example,” Haaretz wrote regarding South Korea’s approach, “citizens were provided with an explanation of what information was collected, for what purpose and when it would be erased.” Hopefully the American approach will include more direct communication about the use of our location data soon. Elsewhere, big tech companies continue to consider and develop new tools responding to the crisis. On Friday, Apple launched an app and a website to help people screen themselves for COVID-19. Jay Peters wrote it up at The Verge: Apple today launched a website and a new app dedicated to COVID-19 screening. The resources offer an online screening tool, information about the disease, and some guidance on when to seek testing or emergency care. Apple developed the site and app in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the White House. The screening tool asks you questions about your symptoms, recent travel, and contact you may have had with people who have had or been exposed to the virus. After completing the screening process, you’ll be taken to a page with recommended next steps that will also suggest whether you need to be tested for COVID-19. Apple noted that the tool should not be considered a replacement for actual medical care. But at a time when it’s nearly impossible for many people to get tested, Apple’s product should be useful in educating people about the disease’s symptoms and encourage people who are likely infected to seek medical help. Over at TechCrunch, Jon Evans looks at a call for Apple and Google to go a step further and build operating system-specific versions of Singapore’s TraceTogether, an app that “uses Bluetooth to track nearby phones (without location tracking), keeps local logs of those contacts, and only uploads them to the Ministry of Health when the user chooses/consents, presumably after a diagnosis, so those contacts can be alerted.” Singapore has said it will make the app broadly available via open source, but some are calling for Apple and Google to roll their own versions quickly: An open letter from “technologists, epidemiologists & medical professionals” calls on “Apple, Google, and other mobile operating system vendors” (the notion that any other vendors are remotely relevant is adorable) “to provide an opt-in, privacy preserving OS feature to support contact tracing.” They’re right. Android and iOS could, and should, add and roll out privacy-preserving, interoperable, TraceTogether-like functionality at the OS level (or Google Play Services level, to split fine technical hairs.) Granted, this means relying on corporate surveillance, which makes all of us feel uneasy. But at least it doesn’t mean creating a whole new surveillance infrastructure. Furthermore, Apple and Google, especially compared to cellular providers, have a strong institutional history and focus on protecting privacy and limiting the remit of their surveillance. Apple has invested so much in defining itself as a privacy savior that it’s difficult to imagine the company building something like TraceTogether for its users, no matter how well intentioned. But I didn’t expect the federal government to start tracking our phones over the weekend, either. Even if, to those of us working from home, every day can feel eerily similar to the one before it, the world around us is changing with unsettling speed. Today in news that could affect public perception of the big tech platforms. ⬆️Trending up: Facebook announced $25 million in grants to local news outlets harmed by the coronavirus, along with $75 million in marketing support. Details on that marketing spending are still somewhat fuzzy, but it’s still a boost for the news industry. ⬆️Trending up: Google CEO Sundar Pichai is encouraging employees to volunteer in local communities to help out during the coronavirus pandemic. The company is also increasing its employee donation-matching program to up to $10,000 a year. ⬆️Trending up: Google is rushing to cancel its plans for April Fools’ Day this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The company asked employees to ensure that any plans they have for the traditionally prank-filled holiday are put on hold lest they be considered in poor taste. Trending down: Facebook said an article from the conservative outlet The Federalist suggesting people infect themselves with coronavirus en masse does not violate the platform’s rules. Twitter and Reddit removed the article and Twitter event temporarily restricted The Federalist’s account. ⭐Twitter deleted two tweets by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro because they contained misinformation about COVID-19. The deletions were the first time the site has taken action against content posted by the president. Here’s Ryan Broderick at BuzzFeed: It’s not the first time that the site has used its coronavirus policy to delete a post by a sitting head of state, which Twitter provides a wider latitude than for most users. Last week, the site deleted a post by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for promoting a “natural brew” to cure COVID-19. In the tweets, Bosolonaro posted videos of himself taken during a walking tour in Brasília on Sunday, in which the president praised the use of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for treating the virus and encouraged an end to social distancing and isolation measures in the country. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine attracted attention earlier this month after a small French study indicated positive results in treating COVID-19. Twitter also deleted a tweet from Rudy Giuliani in which he quoted conservative activist Charlie Kirk touting an anti-malaria drug as a miracle cure for the coronavirus. (Ina Fried / Axios) The Chinese government’s propaganda machine has been spreading misinformation about the coronavirus outbreak through hacked Twitter accounts. Some of the accounts belong to people in the US. (Jeff Kao and Mia Shuang Li / ProPublica) ⭐Amazon warehouse workers on Staten Island in New York are going on strike today. They want to call attention to an alleged lack of protections for employees who are continuing to come to work amid the coronavirus outbreak. Annie Palmer at CNBC has the story: Nearly 100 workers at the facility, known as JFK8, plan to participate in the work stoppage, planned for noon ET. The employees will walk out Monday morning and “cease all operations” until their demands are heard by site leadership, said Chris Smalls, a management assistant at JFK8 and a lead organizer of the strike. Smalls and other workers said they’ve grown increasingly concerned about coming into work after an employee tested positive for the virus last week. An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC it was supporting the person, who is in quarantine, and asked anyone who was in contact with the worker to stay home with pay for two weeks. The facility has remained open. Amazon is offering warehouse workers higher wages to pick and pack Whole Foods groceries amid rising demand and a worker shortage. Employees who are selected to make the switch can make $19 per hour, a $2 raise on top of the pay hike Amazon announced earlier this month. (Krystal Hu / Reuters) Amazon admitted to unintentionally hiding some of its competitors’ faster delivery options as it delays the delivery of non-essential items due to COVID-19. The company is currently working on a fix. (Jason Del Rey / Recode) Governments are using the coronavirus pandemic to seize new powers aimed at stopping the spread of the virus. But some of the measures go far beyond what is needed, and there likely aren’t enough safeguards in place to ensure the authority won’t be abused. (Selam Gebrekidan / The New York Times) The New York Times is sharing coronavirus case data for every US county. It’s a powerful resource at a time when there’s no government database to look to for complete information. Google removed the Infowars Android app from the Play Store. The move extinguished one of the last mainstream strongholds of infamous conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. The takedown came after Jones posted a video disputing the need for social distancing and shelter in places. (Lily Hay Newman / Wired) Doctors are going viral on YouTube by posting videos about the novel coronavirus. Some aren’t even epidemiologists. Gulp. (Andrew Zaleski / OneZero) “With me” videos on YouTube are seeing huge spikes in viewership as people stay home due to the spread of the coronavirus. The videos largely show people doing everyday tasks or crafts. (Julia Alexander / The Verge) Facebook said it’s going to launch various features over the next couple weeks to make Facebook Live more accessible and easy to use. The features will be aimed at people who have low caps on their mobile data plans. (Ashley Carman / The Verge) Facebook has experienced a sharp increase in the use of Facebook Live as people turn to social media to learn new skills. Niani Barracks, a hair stylist in Detroit, is teaching the popular virtual class called A Safe Space for Black Girls That Never Learned How to Braid. (Sandra E. Garcia / The New York Times) The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Mark Zuckerberg’s philanthropic arm, has committed $25 million to a research fund designed to help identify and develop treatments for COVID-19. (Jay Peters / The Verge) Australian billionaire Clive Palmer is running Facebook ads promoting chloroquine, a drug touted by Donald Trump as a possible game changer in the coronavirus fight. Scientists are urging caution about promoting the drug’s effectiveness as a treatment for COVID-19. (Cameron Wilson / BuzzFeed) Zoom issued an update to its iOS app to stop send certain pieces of data to Facebook. The move came after Vice found that the app sent information like when a user opened the app, their timezone, city, and device details to the social media company. (Joseph Cox / Vice) Social distancing has resulted in a massive uptick in bartering on Nextdoor, where friends and neighbors source food and household items from one another. My friend Ryan mailed me some yeast! (Katie Reid / OneZero) An international group of nearly 400 cybersecurity experts is trying to fight hacking related to the novel coronavirus. Their top priority is stopping hacks against medical facilities and other frontline responders to the pandemic. (Joseph Menn / Reuters) As millions of Americans continue to lose their jobs due to the spread of the coronavirus, state websites are struggling to manage the traffic of people trying to file for unemployment. The US Department of Labor said a seasonally adjusted 3,283,000 people filed for unemployment just last week, and the situation is likely to get worse. (Paris Martineau / Wired) A state in southern India is asking residents to download an app and send a selfie every waking hour to make sure they’re complying with the quarantine. The goal is to stop the spread of the coronavirus. (Pranav Dixit / BuzzFeed) A viral coronavirus text message says taking ibuprofen or Advil could make COVID-19 symptoms worse — but there’s no evidence that’s actually true. The message falsely claims to be coming from a Vienna laboratory studying COVID-19. (Zoe Schiffer / The Verge) Therapists across the US are now offering virtual sessions as the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep people home. They’re doing workshops, opening their DMs up for questions, and partnering with influencers to get their messages out. (Ashley Carman / The Verge) Viral challenges are keeping people occupied (and connected) amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Taylor Lorenz / The New York Times) Here’s what a day in social isolation looks like if you livestream every activity possible. (Cameron Wilson / BuzzFeed) Total cases in the US: 156,391 Total deaths in the US: Over 2,500 Reported cases in California: 6,346 Reported cases in New York: 66,526 Reported cases in Washington: 4,916 Data from The New York Times. ⭐Facebook, Twitter, and Google have prepared for 2016-style threats to the next election. But the tactics have changed, and the platforms are struggling to keep up. Kevin Roose, Sheera Frenkel and Nicole Perlroth at The New York Times describe the problem: By most accounts, the big tech companies have gotten better at stopping certain types of election meddling, such as foreign trolling operations and posts containing inaccurate voting information. But they are reluctant to referee other kinds of social media electioneering for fear of appearing to tip the scales. And their policies, often created hastily while under pressure, have proved confusing and inadequate. Adding to the companies’ troubles is the coronavirus pandemic, which is straining their technical infrastructure, unleashing a new misinformation wave and forcing their employees to coordinate a vast election effort spanning multiple teams and government agencies from their homes. HQ Trivia, the live game-show app that shut down in February and laid off its entire staff, is unexpectedly returning with a new show. The company has been acquired by an undisclosed investor who has been working to restart operations. (Dan Primack / Axios) Facebook struck a deal to buy all of the augmented reality displays made by Plessey. The deal could give Facebook an edge over Apple, which recently looked into buying the British firm. (Alex Heath and Amir Efrati / The Information) Facebook announced Jeffrey D. Zients won’t seek reelection after joining the board in 2018 as an independent director. The news marks an almost complete shake-up of the directors overseeing the social-media giant. Robert M. Kimmitt, former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and US Ambassador to Germany, will succeed Jeffrey D. Zients as lead independent director. (Jeff Horwitz and Deepa Seetharaman / The Wall Street Journal) Stuff to occupy you online during the quarantine. Download a fun new Zoom background or 10 to spice up your video chats. Watch Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan interview California Gov. Gavin Newsom about the coronavirus crisis. Listen to The Backstreet Boys sing “I want It That Way,” social distance style. Listen to an escapist podcast. Listen to Joan Baez sing a song dedicated to John Prine, a friend and fellow musician who is critically ill with COVID-19. Play Nintendo’s new Good Job!, a game that lets you chaotically smash through your office park from home. my wife was doing a webcast for her pre-k class but YouTube shut it down for copyright infringement because I was watching WrestleMania VI in the background [meteor hitting earth]Dinosaur: oh no the economy !! A lot of you probably have coronavirus bc one symptom is having no taste Astrophysicist gets magnets stuck up nose while inventing coronavirus device Look, we’re all trying to help respond to the COVID-19 crisis in our own way. Daniel Reardon, for example, was trying to build a necklace that sounds an alarm whenever you touch your face. Unfortunately, as Naaman Zhou recounts at the Guardian, he wound up with magnets up his nose: “When they got the three out from the left nostril, the last one fell down my throat,” he said. “That could have been a bit of a problem if I swallowed or breathed it in, but I was thankfully able to lean forward and cough it out … Needless to say I am not going to play with the magnets any more.” Medical records from the emergency department said that Reardon did not have difficulty breathing, and denied the presence of further magnets up his nose. Be safe out there y’all. Send us tips, comments, questions, and anonymized location data: [email protected] and [email protected].

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21199654/location-data-coronavirus-us-response-covid-19-apple-google

The Interface

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Pearse Anderson

Campus is closed, so college students are rebuilding their schools in Minecraft

Quickly, “Penncraft” students began to recreate dormitories, food trucks, and local sculptures in-game. Makarios Chung, an early builder, measured buildings’ dimensions and streets positions constantly to ensure their scale was as accurate as possible. The first day of building, students took an hour to decide the placement of one street. Their main goal was to have a completed campus, specifically Locust Street, for graduating seniors to walk down in-game now that COVID-19 ensured they wouldn’t return to campus and complete this UPenn tradition. “I’m the first in my family to graduate from college so it wasn’t just my commencement, it was for the rest of my family too,” senior Nyazia Sajdah-Bey says. She left campus suddenly, and is now helping rebuild it in Minecraft, days after departure. “I didn’t have the chance to properly mourn or, finish out my senior bucket list, say goodbye to my friends and teachers,” she says. “I’m still trying to process that loss. So it’s really sweet working on the campus. It’s making the process of leaving feel less sudden and more gradual.” Guo, Chung, and Sajdah-Bey are a few of the hundreds of college students on similar paths of departing and virtually rebuilding. Students from Boston University to UCLA, from South Louisiana Community College to Northwestern University, have recently created or resurrected Minecraft servers and shared their creations on Discord chats, in Facebook meme groups, and on Reddit threads. The boom of college Minecraft servers has begun. These servers have the express purpose of bringing students together and building, oftentimes focused on recreating their college campuses. Searches for Minecraft server hosting have peaked to unprecedented levels in the last few weeks, and thousands of students are discussing college servers, most notably on the Facebook group “Zoom Memes for Self Quaranteens.” Smaller groups and clubs, like Bowdoin College’s men’s ultimate frisbee team or University of La Verne’s debate team, have found ways to bond in survival mode servers after their practices and championships were canceled. Zoom isn’t nearly enough, and it doesn’t carry the ten years of memories that Gen Z has for Minecraft. An overwhelming number of colleges recently closed their campuses and moved to online courses, which felt like a painful shock to students, especially seniors, who expected to have months more time on campus. I was gutted when I had to pack away my Oberlin College dorm room and drive homeward over a weekend. As I entered self-quarantine, I created an Oberlin server for Minecraft, a game I’ve had for a decade and one that has catalyzed dozens of relationships with people I’ve never met in real life. Our server is small, but I’m able to spend time building a home with my partner and adventuring with seniors that I never said goodbye to. Minecraft has become a salve for many students like myself, and college servers have started to become a place where students can log in to process the sudden loss of an on-campus community — or maybe rebuild it. “I’m not going to really see campus alive again. I can go to the buildings, I can go to the space, I can go to the actual square, the plot, but I’m not going to see campus as I remember it,” Jay Gibbs, a University of Chicago senior, says. “So from my point of view, it’s basically gone at this point.” Although Minecraft does allow for building 1:1 scale replicas of campuses, just as importantly it allows students to fill campus spaces and interact with each other. After the Penn Relays — the oldest track and field competition in the United States — was canceled for the first time in 125 years, Penncraft started to work with the competition’s staff to host a virtual “speedrunning” version of the Relays in Minecraft. Once each college has a completed in-game campus in the coming weeks, it will be easier to host events; Brown and Columbia are discussing intramural Minecraft Hunger Games. Even without formal organization, students have come together in college servers in curious ways. In the Oberlin College server I created, I returned one day to find an impromptu food cooperative, a throwback to the famous and culturally significant Oberlin Student Cooperative Association that feeds a fourth of the student body with meals cooked by their peers. This Minecraft version mostly consisted of a chest filled with inedible seeds and raw chicken. On the University of Minnesota server, two students played spikeball on the campus green, tossing a sunflower to each other. In the University of Texas server, students held an in-game birthday party at the top of the famous UT Tower where they set off fireworks and ate cake. Come May there will be in-game graduations. Inspired by the aforementioned Japanese elementary school, Boston University seniors Rudy Raveendran and Warren Partridge created “Quaranteen University.” This is a new server specifically made to host a Class of 2020 graduation for students from hundreds of different universities. 706 students from 278 institutions have signed up in the last week, and one mom has already emailed Raveendran asking how she can get an in-game seat to this massive ceremony on May 22nd. The boom of servers has inspired others to quickly organize around them, like Jasper Ty, a Drexel University freshman, who recently recorded and uploaded a Zoom presentation where he ranks the top five college campus builds. “I have heard people call me a college Minecraft server connoisseur,” he says. Spurred by friends, he is considering starting a series of guided tour videos through Minecraft campuses. Nearly all builders say that they will leave their projects with a newfound appreciation for campus architecture, especially the spots they never visited or overlooked. “It makes me feel like I took this for granted,” Jan Rubio, a UT freshman, says. “Especially knowing that people have toiled to recreate these views and these buildings,” adds Jasper Ty. It’s true that people have toiled, especially inside the BU build. Last week, Will Pine, a BU junior, journeyed through the deserted BU campus snapping reference photos for the building team, making special note to capture emergency evacuation maps on each floor of the engineering building: they double as well-measured blueprints. On other build Discords, students shared floor plan PDFs that fill in their blindspots for reference photos or memory. Builders can get caught up in small details; a pair of Girl Scouts selling cookies at a crosswalk in the University of Minnesota, or Domino the Cat lounging outside the UT student union building. University of Washington builders went as far as creating a “Building Standards” channel on Discord to formalize road widths, the variety of wood for signs, and the color of concrete blocks used in brutalist constructions. I won’t be walking through Oberlin College’s Wilder Bowl or Terrell Library anytime soon, and my memory will inevitably erase details of the spaces I spent years in. A campus build server could be a mind palace for me, as it has been for others. “There have been some parts of [the Penncraft] campus where I can stand there and I can feel like I’m standing in the same place in real life, or at least I get the same brainwaves,” Makarios Chung says, remembering a particular frozen courtyard puddle that he slid around on one day. In a moment of new and tragic memories, many students are searching for familiarity. That courtyard is now constructed in the server. The server boom can be measured. Mitch Smith, the managing director of Minecraft server hosting service Shockbyte, has seen demand for Minecraft servers spike five times higher than their normal daily orders, starting on March 12th (the day after the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic). Beyond providing servers to colleges, Smith said in an email that the company’s Shockbyte for Education program has begun hosting servers for “scout groups, kindergartens, homeschooling parents, daycares, and summer camps.” But the graduating class of 2020 have a unique relationship to the game. We grew up with Minecraft updates from middle school to today, the game getting more complex as we aged. Most interviewed students purchased Minecraft during early alpha development, and returning to it now, in their childhood bedrooms, is like returning to an old toy — one with no real endgame. “If I have an indefinite bit of free time that might end whenever, I would want something I could just play and stop playing whenever I want,” Jay Gibbs says, speaking about why students are flocking to Minecraft during indefinite self-isolation. Years from now, the spires and statues of Quaranteen U might still stand tall. Students might be playing capture the flag in the Frankensteined mix of campuses below. But these servers aren’t collegiate graveyards; they are small wonders currently under construction. The Berklee School of Music campus build is constructed on a strange lie: some blocks that players see are actually disguised sand. In Minecraft, players can construct a few half-block slabs, but Berklee E-Sports Club President Marc Yu wanted their campus to have slabs of terracotta, glass, and other materials that Minecraft didn’t offer. To get around this, the Berklee builders created dozens of “falling sand” entities in-game that they could re-skin as building materials. Many details of the Berklee build are, technically speaking, a series of sandcastles that are falling apart and being reconstituted almost imperceptibly quickly thanks to the ingenuity of students. Builders like Yu have created an anti-Ozymandias, as their sandcastles will live on as long as the server chugs forward. Update March 31st, 12:50PM ET: This article originally misspelled the names of Makarios Chung and Warren Partridge.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21200972/college-students-graduation-minecraft-coronavirus-school-closures

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Taylor Lyles

The Outer Worlds is now coming to Nintendo Switch in June

The Outer Worlds’ Switch port will launch on June 5th, bringing the popular space RPG to Nintendo’s hybrid console. The Outer Worlds’ physical release will include a day one patch that could be up to 6GB in size, according to a blog post published by Obsidian Entertainment today. The day one patch will include additional high-resolution textures and other fixes to ensure the Switch port will be stable. Last February, the The Outer Worlds’ Nintendo Switch release date was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic; it was originally supposed to come out on March 6th. The game’s publisher also confirmed that the game would come out on a cartridge, following complaints that the game’s physical release would only contain a download code. The Outer Worlds was one of the most popular games released in the latter half of 2019 and one of my personal favorites from last year. It feels like a spiritual successor to the Fallout series, and my colleague Adi Robertson pointed out in her review that The Outer Worlds features “a similar role-playing system, retro-futuristic aesthetic, and penchant for dark humor.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201123/the-outer-worlds-new-release-date-nintendo-switch

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Julia Alexander

NBA.FM will try to simulate the 2020 season as if everything is fine

Like every other sports league, the NBA is paused right now. However, the fact that there aren’t any actual games airing hasn’t stopped some people from wondering how the rest of the season would play out. So online stunt collective MSCHF is launching NBA.FM, a new simulation that will broadcast hyperrealistic audio gameplay from the remaining games on the NBA’s 2020 calendar. MSCHF has partnered with official broadcasters to provide commentary on the game as if it were actually happening, and the broadcasts will feature exclusive interviews with players like the Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry, Boston Celtics’ Grant Williams, and Sacramento Kings’ Harrison Barnes among others. “We saw how devastated fans are and how people are stuck at home, so we wanted to bring back the magic of the NBA and give people a small escape while we all try to get through this,” Daniel Greenberg, head of commerce at MSCHF, told The Verge. MSCHF’s goal is to air the remaining 25 games in total, recreating every game that was supposed to be nationally televised, Greenberg said. Instead of running simulations through a game like NBA 2K, which Twitch streamers and YouTubers have done in the past to simulate who might win the championship series, everything will be dictated by the broadcasters. Think the NBA meets fanfiction rather than a computer simulating potential results. As leagues are forced to contend with shorter seasons and uncertain futures, alternative entertainment methods are being explored. Racing leagues are putting drivers behind virtual steering wheels in video games and broadcasting those races. The NBA is interested in exploring similar options, according to Yahoo Sports, with a “players-only NBA 2K tournament that is expected to feature some of the league’s sharpest video gamers, including Kevin Durant.” The games will be broadcast on ESPN. The NBA is hoping to launch the 16-player tournament event on April 3rd, and it’s expected to last 10 days. Obviously, these efforts won’t bring the NBA back sooner. A number of players have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and the league isn’t going to risk anyone else’s health at a time when government bodies and health organizations are recommending strong social distancing protocols. Having gaming tournaments and fictionalized broadcasts to fill the time for fans, however, isn’t a bad idea. NBA.FM’s first game pits the Houston Rockets against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, March 31st at 7:30PM ET. The second game of the night will see the Denver Nuggets take on the Golden State Warriors at 10PM ET. The full schedule can be seen on MSCHF’s website.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201418/nba-fm-coronavirus-mschf-broadcast-games-season

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Andrew J. Hawkins

Uber pledges 10 million free rides and deliveries for workers affected by COVID-19

Uber is ramping up its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, pledging 10 million free rides and food deliveries for health care workers, senior citizens, and others affected by the outbreak. Uber is already providing free rides and food deliveries to NHS workers fighting the virus in the UK. Now the company is looking to expand this offer globally. Uber says that “any organization, healthcare provider, or governmental entity is eligible,” though it is still working through a lot of interested parties. A spokesperson said the company is already talking with local food banks about free rides and deliveries. Uber is “working to distribute these meals and rides at scale in the coming months and tailor the offering based on the most pressing, local needs,” a spokesperson said. “And we’re covering the costs associated with delivering food, meals and rides: including free Eats meals, the cost of the ride or delivery of food from a food bank, payments to the drivers and couriers, etc.” Hospitals, clinics, senior centers, and others interested in signing up their workers for free rides or food deliveries would need to email Uber at [email protected]. The announcement comes as Uber has seen a precipitous drop in ridership as a result of the pandemic. The company’s gross bookings in Seattle, a city hit hard by the novel coronavirus, is down by 60 to 70 percent, and Uber is assuming similar declines in other big cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. The company is providing financial assistance for drivers who have contracted COVID-19 or who have had their accounts suspended or been told to quarantine by public health officials — though some drivers have run into problems applying for aid from the ride-hailing company. With people being told to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel, many Uber drivers are struggling to earn money. The $2 trillion stimulus package signed into law last week by President Trump offers jobless benefits, like unemployment insurance, to previously ineligible groups, like gig workers.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201805/uber-free-rides-deliveries-workers-coronavirus-pledge

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Nick Statt

QuakeCon canceled for the first time in 25-year-history over coronavirus

QuakeCon, the annual fan convention and tournament dedicated to the legendary first-person shooter game, has been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The convention has been held every year for the past 24 years in Dallas, Texas, making the official 25th anniversary celebration the first QuakeCon to be canceled in the event’s history. It was to be held in August. The organizers — including Quake publisher Bethesda Softworks and parent company ZeniMax Media alongside original developer id Software — posted a note to the website and Twitter account for QuakeCon informing fans of the unfortunate news on Tuesday morning. An update on QuakeCon 2020: pic.twitter.com/1FYUauI7PY “In recent weeks we have spent a lot of time discussing how we might still move forward with QuakeCon this year, particularly given that it’s the 25th year of the event. However, with all of the logistical challenges and uncertainties we currently face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s QuakeCon,” the message reads. “The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and players will always be our top priority, and in these times it felt wrong to be talking about a gathering when gathering is the last thing any of us should be doing right now.” The message says that while the state of the COVID-19 pandemic may have improved by August, “we do know it will not be possible to complete the work and planning with partners, vendors, volunteers, and others that is required to make QuakeCon a success.” Quake was first released nearly 25 years ago as a successor to the seminal first-person shooter Doom, and it became an instant hit and one of the most played competitive games on the planet in the mid- to late-90s. QuakeCon, established by fans of the game who met online in a dedicated Quake IRC room, has grown over the years into a full-blown Bethesda and id celebration, with an annual Quake LAN tournament attached that has crowned winners in various iterations of the Quake series every year since 1996.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201501/quakecon-quake-canceled-bethesda-id-software-25th-anniversary

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

T.C. Sottek

April Fools’ Day is canceled, you monsters

For nearly two decades, brands around the world have gathered each year to celebrate two occasions: the anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks and April Fools’ Day. They’re like holidays for the most cringeworthy and deplorable content imaginable, and no natural or human disaster has been able to interrupt them — until now. Google, which typically spends about 40 percent of its yearly budget on April Fools’ pranks across its portfolio of products, wisely opted out this year. According to an email obtained by Business Insider, Google will “take the year off from that tradition out of respect for all those fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.” Thanks, Google. Unfortunately, some brands lack the self-awareness or plain sense to cancel their pranks, and The Verge has already received a handful of absolutely terrible pitches in the past week that signal more is coming. We’re paying attention to the pranks brands pull this year, and we’re making a list. You don’t want your name on this list. We promise: you’ll regret it. (The list is real.)

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201179/april-fools-day-2020-is-canceled

Internet Culture

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Justine Calma

How to talk with kids about screentime and COVID-19

With schools closed and governments issuing orders for people to stay at home, a lot of kids have no choice but to turn to their screens for school and any kind of socializing. The debate over how much screentime is healthy is nothing new, but our devices have arguably never played as big a role in our lives as they do now when it comes to staying connected amid a global pandemic. To understand how these changes might affect kids, The Verge spoke with Lloyda Williamson, a general and child psychiatrist and the chair of the psychiatry and behavioral sciences department at Meharry Medical College. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Recent data shows that a majority of kids between the ages of six and 12 in the US are spending at least 50 percent more time in front of screens each day during the COVID-19 outbreaks. How might that affect kids’ development and mental health? It’s interesting because we have sort of mixed guidelines in terms of children’s exposure to digital technology. We of course have the educators that are really promoting the use of digital technology to help them to gain skills, to provide ways for them to be more engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math, and just help them to be prepared for a productive workforce in the future. On the other hand, you’ve got the public health officials that are, I would say, not anti-digital but more cautious because of concerns about various aspects of health. One of the social concerns is that, of course, we have predatory individuals, there’s cyberbullying. Some examples of emotional concerns might be just addictive behaviors toward digital technology and depression, as well as access to inappropriate content. With this increased time [on screens], a lot of times that means that these children are less active in terms of physical activity and exercise. And then, we’re understanding that there’s a shortened or decreased attention span [when it comes to cognitive development]. Of course, as we look at digital technology we’re talking about lots of different platforms and types of media. And a lot of what we’re dealing with in terms of digital technology is new. So, what we have in terms of [studies on the effects of] “screen time” are primarily on television. And we realized that television is different than a lot of the platforms that we have where people are interacting in different ways. So I guess the short answer is we don’t really know what the impact of digital technology is going to have, because it hasn’t been out long enough to get these long-term studies. What can parents and guardians do to counteract some of those potentially adverse effects? And how do we talk with kids about the pandemic? One of the things that I think is very crucial, particularly since our children are at home, is the parental example of media use. One of the things we forget is that our children are watching us all the time. And so they see how much time we’re on social media using different digital media, and many times their behavior patterns and their patterns of use are patterned after us. We have a thirst for news and as we are watching on the TV or listening on social media, our children are also exposed to that. That can be not only overwhelming for us, but also overwhelming for our children. So have some boundaries as to how much of this we’re going to watch and at what times of the day. Sometimes it’s just good to turn it off and do some other things instead of just keeping up with every news event. As adults we do have to be aware of what our children are experiencing along with the increased tension in our community. Children are definitely aware that we’re experiencing a crisis. Many adolescents are resistant to staying at home and just really want to connect with their friends in person. And so, when those activities are restricted, that can bring out some feelings of sadness, depression, irritability, anger, frustration. For younger kids, when they realize that their lives are different, it’s a good opportunity for us to talk with them about what’s going on. Have conversations about how they’re doing, what they miss about school, what they miss about having contact with their friends, and then just listening and giving them an opportunity to talk about their feelings. I think it’s important to tell them facts according to their developmental level. Some people may say, “Well, how do you talk about this coronavirus when people are dying?” But we should be having some of these difficult conversations with children all along — like being safe when you go out in public, not speaking to strangers and why that’s important. We have these difficult conversations, and so this is another one: why it’s important to wash your hands, why it’s important for us to stay in our safe place at home during this time, and why, when people get ill, it can be very serious, to the point where some people are ending up in the hospital or maybe even die. As parents are interacting with their children, they may want to know “what are some signs of my child or my adolescent not doing well?” Pay attention to changes in their behavior, changes in the way they communicate, and change in their personalities — like they’re becoming more withdrawn, irritable, if they’re sleeping more, or if they’re arguing more. If it gets to the point that it’s really negatively impacting their ability to interact with the family, or where they’re not eating or sleeping, then they may want to reach out to their care provider and see if this may be a time that an evaluation needs to occur before it gets to the point that there’s actually a serious psychiatric or mental health disorder. With so many schools closed, how might online classes affect students’ learning? We have more data in terms of college students, and we don’t have as much of that data with younger children. And so I think we’re in a big experiment. It’s challenging for teachers to relate to different learning styles online. Different children learn differently. Some are more visual. Some are more auditory. Some have a mixed learning style. And then children have different levels of being able to be self motivated and participate in these online educational activities. There are a lot of different factors to consider, to see how people may respond positively or negatively or in mixed ways. But parents [can be] aware of their child, their child’s learning style and personality, and check in with them. Many parents have struggled with putting limits on screentime, even before outbreaks of COVID-19. Is that a good idea now, especially for kids who might feel like that’s their only connection to the outside world while they’re stuck at home? We don’t want to do all or none. So we don’t want to cut them off. We’re looking for a sense of balance, in terms of communicating, learning, connecting. Let’s also turn [screens] off for some time so they can connect together as a family — and so that they can also perhaps engage in some other activities, whether it’s cooking, doing yard work outside, or drawing, or even interacting as a family with different games and things. There’s so many resources out there, there’s so many apps. I think the main thing is finding things that will help bring you a sense of peace, and using those things instead of things that would add more stress and more anxiety.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201807/children-adolescents-screentime-coronavirus-how-to-psychiatrist

How-to

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Jay Peters

Zoom is leaking some personal email addresses and user photos

Zoom is apparently leaking some email addresses, user photos, and allowing some users to initiate a video call with strangers because of an issue with how the app handles contacts that it perceives work for the same organization, according to a report by Vice. Typically, Zoom will group contacts with the same email domain into a “Company Directory” so you can, for example, search for a specific person, see their photo and email, and start a video call with that person. That makes sense for a company with employees on Zoom, but the app has also been grouping some people together who signed up for the service with a personal email, reports Vice. That means an affected user might be able to see the personal email addresses and photos of people with their same domain in their Company Directory, even if none of those people are actually colleagues. It’s unclear how widespread this issue is or how many domains may be affected. An affected user shared a screenshot with Vice showing 995 accounts in his Company Directory. This user also said he ran into the issue with the domains xs4all.nl, dds.nl, and quicknet.nl, which are all email domains from Dutch ISPs. Zoom said it blacklisted those domains after Vice brought them to the company’s attention. “Zoom maintains a blacklist of domains and regularly proactively identifies domains to be added,” a Zoom spokesperson said to Vice in a statement. Zoom also directed Vice to a support page where users can request to have domains blacklisted. Zoom doesn’t group “publicly used domains including gmail.com, yahoo.com, hotmail.com, etc,” according to a support doc. Zoom was not immediately available for comment. Zoom has a spotty track record with security. Last July, a security researcher discovered that a malicious website could open a Zoom video call on Macs without a user’s permission. The company quickly patched its software and uninstalled a local web server that created the vulnerability. Check Point Research published a report in January about a flaw that would have let hackers eavesdrop on calls. And Zoom confirmed today that its video calls aren’t actually end-to-end encrypted, despite what its website may say.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201956/zoom-leak-user-information-email-addresses-photos-contacts-directory

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Megan Farokhmanesh

Persona 5 Royal review: the definitive version of an already brilliant RPG

Jumping back into a 100-hour game is a hard sell. Atlus released Persona 5 — a JRPG about teenage vigilantes with supernatural powers living in Japan — in 2017. Now, it’s created an enhanced version: Persona 5 Royal, a version that addresses the original’s problems, with new characters and gameplay tweaks. It is a natural progression, an elegant and noticeably improved version of an already great game, that also serves as a reminder of the simpler time during which it was created. The core of Persona 5 Royal remains the same: a high school kid arrives in a new city after a run-in with the law. His efforts to lie low and live a normal life are disrupted as he, and several of his fellow students, discover that they have the power to change the hearts of corrupt individuals by entering palaces — physical manifestations of distorted desires. In between heroic extracurriculars, players also spend the course of a calendar year making new friends, improving themselves by raising social stats like charm or knowledge, and doing mundane tasks like laundry or cleaning. As with past enhanced Persona games, the majority of Royal’s new story content doesn’t appear until late in the game with a new school semester and palace. But a big part of its allure are the quality of life tweaks it adds, from new party attacks, altered dungeons and bosses and extra Personas, to the number of places you can visit or how the game guides you with extra tips. Mementos, an ever-expanding dungeon players need to explore often throughout the entire game, now features a new character named Jose who randomly appears throughout. Players can trade in-dungeon collectibles to Jose for special items or improvements that raise experience, money, and more. Where Mementos once felt like a place to rush through as quickly as possible, it’s now an area that’s satisfying to explore. Persona 5 Royal also introduces a handful of new confidants, characters players can build relationships with, and expands on others in crucial ways. It adds a new party member named Kasumi, a gymnast whose story entangles with the hero’s, as well as a school counselor. Players can spend more quality time with Goro Akechi, a party member from the original game with a lackluster relationship; where Persona 5 automatically built Akechi’s relationship, Royal gives you the choice to spend real, substantial time with him. That’s easier to do thanks to extra time at night and new activities. Persona 5 infamously gated players’ time with a cat who’d chide you into going to bed early. Now, it’s easier to spend free time with friends or at home reading and making tools. The game also introduces new activities like darts and billiards, a fun way to both raise different stats with party members and kill some time with minigames. And the addition of the Thieves Den, a hangout you can add statues, photos, and more to, offers a quiet place to admire your achievements. In the midst of a pandemic, Persona 5 Royal’s arrival is a welcome break from the daily anxieties that have become the new normal. It began as a fantasy about the supernatural power of well-meaning individuals. Now, it’s also a dream of what’s been lost: coffee dates, crowds, dinners at restaurants, packed movie theaters, and time closely spent with friends. Persona 5 Royal is out today on PS4. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21199604/persona-5-royal-review-ps4-atlus-rpg

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Tom Warren

Microsoft’s Skype struggles have created a Zoom moment

Microsoft originally acquired Skype for $8.5 billion back in 2011. It was the same year that Zoom and Snapchat were founded, and Apple launched its iPhone 4. Skype had more than 100 million active users back then, and 8 million of those were paying to use the service to make and receive calls using the voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Skype was the main way consumers actually talked to each other over the internet, with video calls making up 40 percent of all Skype usage back in 2011. Skype had become so big that in 2011 The Onion joked that “Skype” would be added to the dictionary. Three years later, the verb was added to the Oxford English Dictionary, highlighting how popular the service had become. But Microsoft faced some big challenges early on to transform Skype into a profitable business and keep it relevant for consumers. Microsoft’s Skype acquisition came just as chat apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Snapchat, and WeChat were starting to gain momentum and challenge Skype’s dominance. Surprisingly, Microsoft opted to ditch its own popular Windows Live Messenger service in favor of Skype to try and ward off competition. Microsoft had one big problem to solve early on, though. The company had acquired a service that was based on peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, which made it less efficient on mobile devices. This is where a lot of Microsoft’s Skype problems began. Microsoft transitioned Skype from these P2P networks to cloud-powered servers back in 2013, in order to capitalize on Skype integration on Windows Phone and improve its mobile apps in general. Skype also became the default messaging app for Windows 8.1 back in 2013, and even shipped as part of Microsoft’s big Kinect push for the Xbox One console in the same year. Skype also appeared on the web as part of Outlook.com in 2013. All of this was powered by Microsoft’s transition away from Skype’s traditional P2P networks, but it was messy. The transition lasted years, and resulted in calls, messages, and notifications repeating on multiple devices. Skype became unreliable, at a time when rivals were continuing to offer solid alternatives that incorporated messaging functionality that actually worked and synced across devices. Instead of quickly fixing the underlying issues, Microsoft spent years trying to redesign Skype. This led to a lethal combination of an unreliable product with a user experience that changed on a monthly basis. I wrote back in 2016 that Microsoft needed to fix Skype, instead of adding in useless emoji and launching and abandoning its Qik video messaging app. Microsoft didn’t really listen, though. The company went in a completely different direction with Skype in 2017, with a design that turned the app into something that looked like Snapchat. Unsurprisingly, people weren’t happy with the design and Microsoft was forced to kill off the Snapchat-like features and redesign Skype once again a year later. During this time, Microsoft also pushed Skype for Business as the replacement for its Lync (Office Communicator) enterprise instant messaging software. Skype looked like it would power the future of Microsoft’s chat services across consumers and businesses, until Microsoft Teams arrived in 2016. Teams has quickly become Microsoft’s focus for chat and communications in recent years. The company has been aggressively pushing businesses to adopt Teams, at a time when rivals like Slack are trying to win big businesses over. Microsoft Teams isn’t just for businesses anymore, either. Just this week, Microsoft announced its Teams plan for consumers. It’s part of a bigger push for Microsoft 365 subscriptions to families and consumers. Microsoft is trying to convince consumers that Teams can be used to connect to friends and family in a group chat or through video calls, and share to-do lists, photos, and other content all in one location. Microsoft thinks people who plan trips with friends or organize book clubs and social gatherings will be interested in Teams. This Teams push has taken the spotlight off Skype in recent years, though. Microsoft has used the underlying technology it has with Skype to power its video and voice calls in Teams, while rewriting the chat and messaging experience that the company struggled to get right with Skype’s Messenger transition. All of this has now led Microsoft to throw its weight behind Teams, even for consumers. Skype isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, but it’s not Microsoft’s focus anymore. “For now, Skype will remain a great option for customers who love it and want to connect with basic chat and video calling capabilities,” says a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to VentureBeat. “With the new features in the Microsoft Teams mobile app, we see Teams as an all in one hub for your work and life that integrates chat, video calling, [and the] ability to assign and share tasks, store and share important data with your group, [and] share your location with family and friends, whereas Skype is predominantly a chat and a video calling app platform. We have nothing more to share.” Microsoft said in 2015 that Skype had 300 million active monthly users. The company hasn’t updated those numbers in the tumultuous period that followed. We still don’t know exactly how many people are using Skype, but Microsoft did provide some hints this week. During a press briefing, Microsoft revealed Skype is used by 200 million people, an active user count that’s based over a period of six months and not a monthly active user count. During the coronavirus pandemic, this usage has increased to 40 million people using Skype daily, up 70 percent month-over-month. That suggests that around 23 million people were using Skype daily, before the increase in demand. Microsoft is refusing to provide monthly active user counts for Skype, most likely because the company doesn’t want any obvious comparisons to competitors or the 300 million it previously revealed in 2015 when the service was still growing. 40 million daily users is still a big number, even when chat apps like WhatsApp have since passed 2 billion users, and Telegram has exceeded 200 million monthly active users. The real question is how are rivals like Zoom, Houseparty, and even Google’s Hangouts growing during this ongoing coronavirus pandemic? Houseparty and Zoom have both exploded in growth in the UK and US. Zoom currently sits at the top of the US App Store list, and second position in the UK App Store list. Houseparty is at the top in the UK, and number three in the US. Skype sits at number 75 in the US, and number 15 in the UK. Microsoft isn’t totally losing out here though, the company’s Teams mobile app is number seven in the US and number six in the UK. ”Zoom does not share any numbers around users / usage, signups, or total number of customers,” says a Zoom spokesperson in a statement to The Verge. So it’s impossible to know the true number of Zoom users right now. Some estimates suggest Zoom had close to 13 million monthly active users last month, before consumers and businesses turned to the service in large numbers. One of the many reasons consumers are flocking to Zoom and Houseparty is that they’re easy to use. Zoom users don’t need an account, it’s free to use for up to 40 minutes, and you can join meetings with just a simple link or code. Skype offers a way to create video meetings with no sign ups or downloads, but you probably didn’t even know this feature existed. Instead, Zoom’s simple app approach has won people over. That ease of use has led to criticism over Zoom privacy, and the phenomenon of “Zoombombing,” where an uninvited guest uses Zoom’s screen-sharing feature to broadcast shock videos. Houseparty is equally easy to use, but it’s facing hacking rumors that the company is strenuously denying. Houseparty says it’s “investigating indications that the recent hacking rumors were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty.” The firm is even offering to pay out $1 million to “the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign.” Even if Zoom and Houseparty won’t provide actual user numbers, it’s clear from the many stories of people using the services and anecdotal evidence that there’s some serious growth going on here. A recent App Annie report shows that Houseparty, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom are all seeing phenomenal growth for different reasons. Skype is still being used by broadcasters and in many locations worldwide, but a lot of people are turning elsewhere for video calls. There are many reasons for Skype missing out on this key mindshare moment, but Microsoft’s missteps with Skype’s reliability and user interface are surely to blame. This is highlighted best with Skype for Windows. After years of struggling to decide between touch-friendly (Universal Windows Platform) vs. traditional desktop Skype, Microsoft is now reversing course on its Skype for Windows plans. Skype will soon migrate to an Electron-powered app, instead of UWP. It acts far more like a traditional desktop app now. “For users of the UWP app, it’s a background upgrade and we migrate your credentials, similar to what happens when updating an app on a mobile device,” says a Skype spokesperson in a statement to The Verge. “Customers will see the same Skype UI but they may see different functionality since Electron has more features than UWP.” This, alongside the Teams focus, are early signs of where Skype will end up. Microsoft wasn’t afraid of ditching the 100 million people using Windows Live Messenger years ago, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the company try and push Skype users over to Teams in the months ahead. Like Microsoft said, “For now, Skype will remain a great option for customers who love it and want to connect with basic chat and video calling capabilities.” The “for now” part of that statement is a telling sign that Microsoft’s focus is now Teams, not Skype.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21200844/microsoft-skype-zoom-houseparty-coronavirus-pandemic-usage-growth-competition

Microsoft

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Jacob Kastrenakes

Huawei says US trade ban is a ‘big difficulty’ to selling phones

Huawei’s revenue grew by 19.1 percent last year to around $121 billion, but the company says those numbers would be far higher if the United States had not cracked down on its ability to do business. Due to a trade ban initially ordered last May, Huawei is unable to acquire US parts and software or sell its products in the US. That has cut the company out of an important market and hurt its ability to compete outside of China. “The consumer business has been the major business for our growth,” said Vincent Pang, president of Huawei’s western Europe business, in a call with reporters to discuss the company’s 2019 financial results. He called 2019 a “big challenge” for the company. While Huawei never had a substantial presence with consumers in the US, the trade ban still hurts Huawei’s ability to compete abroad. It’s unable to buy new laptop processors from Intel, and flagship phones like the P40 and the Mate 30 Pro can’t offer Google’s apps or Google’s app store, making them nonstarters for many customers. “That gave us a quite a big difficulty” in growing smartphone sales, Pang said. Though the trade ban has yet to go into full effect, it’s likely to remain an obstacle for the foreseeable future. The US government “is not willing to talk with us” about removing the trade ban, said Andy Purdy, Huawei’s chief security officer. “We hope at some point we can participate in those conversations.” Huawei also said growth in enterprise businesses, like servers, which rely on Intel chips, and big data analysis, which relies on those servers, is hurt being hurt by the ban.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21200183/huawei-2019-earnings-financial-results-us-trade-ban

Policy

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Nicole Wetsman

Genetic analysis of the coronavirus gives scientists clues about how it’s spreading 

As the coronavirus spreads around the globe, it has mutated in tiny, subtle ways. Those mutations aren’t cause for concern, and so far, don’t appear to be making the virus any more or less dangerous. But scientists can use those slight changes to track the virus from person to person, and location to location. “If we identify a new outbreak cluster in one state, and there’s a question of whether it’s related to a previous cluster or not, the small mutational changes can help you figure out if they’re connected,” says Patrick Boyle, a synthetic biologist at Ginkgo Bioworks. The coronavirus is made up of around 29,000 building blocks of genetic material called nucleotides. Like other biotechnology companies and labs, Ginkgo has the technology to take a sample of the virus and read out the full sequence of those nucleotides. For the most part, the sequence will be the same in each sample. But the virus makes copies of itself within a human host, and sometimes, it can make mistakes — switching one or two nucleotides out for another. The version of the virus with those changes can then be passed on when that person infects someone else. Ginkgo is repurposing its systems, which normally don’t sequence viruses, to analyze as many samples of the coronavirus as possible. The goal is to help build out the maps that show how the virus jumped from one person to the next. They’re hoping to scale up to be able to publish the full genetic sequence of 10,000 virus samples a day. This is awesome. I know groups that currently have samples in need of sequencing. I'll let them know about @Ginkgo's offer. Despite the skyrocketing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the US, only a limited number of virus samples collected in the country have been sequenced in full. Scientists have more sequences from Washington state than other places. Consequently, they know more about the trajectory of the outbreak in Washington than they know about outbreaks in other states. Some of that genetic data is how Trevor Bedford, a virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, was able to link a case of COVID-19 diagnosed on February 27 in Washington to a case that was diagnosed in late January in the state — indicating that the virus had been circulating locally, and undetected, for that entire time. It also showed that the January case sparked a cluster of illnesses that spread through the community. Other states are starting to do the same kind of detective work, using genetic sequences to help clarify their outbreaks. An analysis of nine virus samples collected in Connecticut showed that the some were related to viruses found in Washington state, which suggests that the coronavirus was spreading domestically, not being repeatedly brought in from other countries. The analysis has not yet been peer-reviewed or published. Other preliminary research examined virus samples from northern California, and found that the coronavirus was introduced to the area at multiple points. New preprint from the @NathanGrubaugh lab. Here we sequenced 9 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from early cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut. The majority of the genomes clustered with other sequences from the U.S., suggesting spread across the country (thread)https://t.co/jCeyC48ExS pic.twitter.com/WIauOEUenU One challenge in expanding the number of virus sequences available, Boyle says, is obtaining patient samples to analyze. Labs in the US and other countries that are running tests for the virus receive hundreds or thousands of patient samples each day. But the focus of those labs is checking a sample to see if the coronavirus is there — and the patient has COVID-19 — or if it isn’t. The emphasis on testing and diagnosing patients is critical to track the pandemic, Boyle says. “The problem is, it only gives you a positive or negative answer,” he says. Tests don’t provide any extra information about the particular virus in each patient. Ginkgo plans to partner with testing labs, so that they can take a closer look at the virus in a patient sample after the testing is done. Other labs and groups worldwide are embarking on similar projects: a research consortium in the United Kingdom, for example, has over $20 million in funding to sequence samples. Boyle says that Gingko is coordinating with some other labs interested in this work. They’re also making sure that they can access the chemicals and other supplies they need to run the genetic analysis, Boyle says. “We want to make sure that our supply stream is not competing with the supply stream that keeps the testing running.” Expanding the number of coronavirus sequences available will give scientists a picture of the outbreak, in the US and around the world. Along with testing, it’s one way scientists can keep track of the virus’s movements — and help to rein it in.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21199782/coronavirus-samples-genetic-analysis-covid-spread-biotech-pandemic

Science

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Jacob Kastrenakes

Movie advertising is now just making Zoom backgrounds

Movie posters and billboards are useless right now, so marketing teams all seem to have landed on the same solution: Zoom backgrounds. Yesterday, Pixar tweeted out backgrounds for Toy Story, Cars, and Up. The Twitter accounts for the Top Gun sequel, the Spongebob movie, and the Quiet Place sequel offered their own Zoom backgrounds. And CBS and Starz got in on the move too, offering up backgrounds for Young Sheldon, Big Brother, and a bunch of sitcoms I’ve never heard of. Your mileage will vary depending on what kind of event you’re joining. Meeting with your boss? Probably don’t pull up in a fighter jet. You’ll also want to avoid looking like you’re in imminent danger or very clearly trying to promote a movie that might, possibly, come out months from now. No, seriously, don’t use the embarrassing movie ones. Do not float into a horrifying entertainment-themed abyss. Where am I? What has become of this world? Is there anything left out there... outside this virtual abyss?

https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2020/3/31/21200978/zoom-backgrounds-movie-advertising-pixar-cbs-starz

Entertainment

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Jon Porter

Samsung’s AKG quietly launches noise-cancelling Galaxy Buds Plus rival

AKG, one of Samsung’s many audio brands, has quietly announced its first pair of true wireless earbuds, the AKG N400, via a product page posted on Samsung’s South Korean website. According to TizenHelp, which spotted the page, the earbuds feature noise cancellation, and can run for five hours on a single charge (or six if you turn off ANC). They’re available in black, white, and blue, and also support wireless charging. It’s an interesting time to launch a new pair of earbuds, especially since Samsung has only just released its own $150 Galaxy Buds Plus true wireless headphones, which it advertises as having sound that’s been tuned by AKG. However, there are a number of differences between the two pairs. As its higher price would suggest, AKG’s true wireless earbuds are the slightly more premium of the two pairs. They’ve got better IPX7 water resistance that means they should survive being completely submerged, compared to the IPX3 that the Galaxy Buds Plus have. They’re also noise-cancelling, which isn’t the case with the Galaxy Buds Plus. However, the Galaxy Buds Plus have the advantage of much better battery life. While the AKG N400 top out at just six hours with noise-cancelling turned off (with the charging case offering an extra six hours), the Galaxy Buds Plus offer 11 hours, and get an extra 11 hours from their case. Otherwise there are a lot of similarities between the two pairs of earbuds. They both support wireless charging, and both support the Siri, Google Assistant, or Bixby voice assistants. Samsung is yet to announce a release for the earbuds outside of South Korea. We’ve contacted the company for comment and will update this piece if it responds.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201277/samsung-aky-n400-true-wireless-noise-cancelling-earbuds-price-features-release-date-south-korea

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Justine Calma

How to make your own yeast for baking

As more people bake their blues away while stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, yeast is reportedly becoming harder to find on grocery store shelves. There’s no shame in turning to carbohydrates for comfort in times like these. But what’s one to do when a key ingredient for satisfying that craving is becoming as elusive as a roll of toilet paper? Though baker’s yeast may be dwindling in stores, more and more recipes for making it at home are popping up on Twitter. If baking is your way of taking this moment to learn something new or become more self-sufficient, coming up with your own yeast could be the next survival skill to hone. Baker’s yeast is actually just a fungus that, like me, loves eating sugar. So whether or not it’s in stock in stores, in reality “there is never a shortage of yeast,” biological engineer Sudeep Agarwala tweeted. “Yeast is everywhere!” he adds. There’s a good chance you’ve already got what you need at home to get started. The Verge asked Stephen Jones, director of Washington State University’s Bread Lab, for simple instructions. What you’ll actually be doing is capturing wild yeast and bacteria that’s already present in the air or in the flour to make a “sourdough starter.” This is what bakers have relied on for generations before commercial yeast became available less than 100 years ago. It's closest I've come to witnessing spontaneous generation; it always feels like there's a bit of magic around whenever it works. And if it doesn't work the first time: 1) be patient and 2) try it with something different. “Sourdough” is often used to refer to bread that’s made with a wild yeast starter rather than with store-bought yeast; following the instructions for this starter doesn’t necessarily mean that the bread you make with it will taste sour. But since you’re harvesting wild yeast and bacteria (the bacteria is what adds some sourness) that’s naturally present in your kitchen, your bread will have a flavor that’s unique to wherever you are in the world. That’s why, Jones says, “There’s a little more beauty in starting your own starter.” What you’ll need: Jones says that although some recipes you’ll find online call for things like fruit or juice, all you actually need are flour and water. White flour works fine, but whole wheat is best because it has more micronutrients like zinc and iron for the yeast and bacteria. You’ll also need time; it’ll take several days before your starter is ready, so it’s best to plan ahead. Step 1: Mix together equal parts flour and water in a small bowl. You can start with about a quarter cup of each. Stir well. Water activates the enzyme amylase, which breaks down starch into simple sugars that the yeast and bacteria can eat. Step 2: Cover the bowl loosely with a lid or towel and leave the mixture on your counter at room temperature. Keeping it in a place that’s a bit warm, but not too hot, will speed up the process of the yeast and bacteria colonizing your batter. Step 3: Twice a day, in the morning and evening, add one to two tablespoons each of flour and water. By doing this, you’re actually feeding the yeast. In about three to five days, your starter will begin to bubble. This is a good thing: the way yeast makes bread rise is by producing gas, like what you see in the bubbles. After day five, your starter should have at least doubled in volume and will be ready to use. As a rule of thumb, a bit of the starter should float in a glass of water when it’s ready. Keep in mind that you can’t just swap out store-brought yeast with the same amount of the starter you’ve made. You’ll want to find recipes for baking with a sourdough starter; there are a few on the Bread Lab’s website. If you’re not using it all right away, you can keep feeding it daily or put it in the fridge and feed it once a week. If you’re feeling at all intimidated, you can take comfort in knowing that people have been making bread this way for thousands of years. There’s very little risk of messing up your starter, according to Jones. It might smell a little “cheesy” around day three or four, but as long as it’s not slimy or smells putrid (this is rare, Jones says), then you’re in the clear. There’s also some flexibility, so none of the measurements Jones gives need to be exact and you won’t have to worry if you forget to “feed” the starter one morning. “We’ve got enough pressure right now,” Jones says. “Take the pressure off yourself and just relax and enjoy.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21199708/yeast-diy-baking-covid-19-shortage-make-it-yourself-bread

How-to

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Adi Robertson

You can play Candy Crush with free, unlimited lives this week

Mobile developer King is adding free, unlimited lives to Candy Crush Saga and a swath of other games this week, removing the timers that make players wait or pay if they fail too many levels. The change lasts until April 5th, and it’s part of a World Health Organization partnership called #PlayApartTogether, which promotes awareness of safety and social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic. Seven games are being updated with free lives: Candy Crush Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Candy Crush Jelly Saga, Candy Crush Friends Saga, Farm Heroes Saga, Bubble Witch 3 Saga, and Pet Rescue Saga. I can’t say if those latter six are worth your newly unlimited playtime. But Candy Crush Saga is a genuinely engrossing take on the classic match-three genre. Beneath its treacly theme and sort of unsettling mascot, there are thousands of cleverly designed and often very tough puzzles. (Yes, I can vouch personally for “thousands” — Candy Crush was my go-to subway game for years, although I haven’t played for quite a while.) As Nellie Bowles wrote in a New York Times essay today, the pandemic has made many people reevaluate their relationship with technology, turning a reflexive disdain for “screen time” into a critical consideration of what’s on those screens. Similarly, Candy Crush sits in an often-maligned category of free-to-play phone apps — but it’s the perfect bite-sized puzzle game, and King temporarily removed its most annoying feature.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21202056/king-candy-crush-saga-free-unlimited-lives-covid-coronavirus-who-social-distancing-partnership

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Taylor Lyles

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has been remastered and is out today

After years of speculation, a remastered version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s single-player campaign is finally here, bringing an enhanced version of one of the most iconic FPS games of the late 2000s onto modern hardware. The enhanced version of Modern Warfare 2 only includes the single-player campaign. The remastered version adds high-definition visuals and audio improvements to the original story from 2009, according to a blog post by Activision. The game is available digitally on PS4 for $19.99 and will be a timed exclusive until April 30th, when it launches on PC and Xbox One, though preorders are currently not available at this time. PS4 owners who purchase the remastered Modern Warfare 2 — which, it should be noted, is not a sequel to last year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare — will also get in-game items in both the 2019 game and the battle royale spinoff Warzone, which launched earlier this month. Some items featured in the bundle include a new character skin as well as a couple of weapon blueprints, which grant you access to stronger weapons without having to earn them through progression. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was originally released in November 2009 and is often regarded as one of the best games of that year, thanks in part to its strong single-player narrative as well as a robust multiplayer mode. The title also ignited controversy over its optional fourth mission, “No Russian,” which had players take part in a terrorist attack. After a remastered version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was released in November 2016, many were speculating as to when its sequel would receive the same treatment. Microsoft made the original Modern Warfare 2 backwards compatible on Xbox One in late 2018, but Activision didn’t announce the game would be remastered before today.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201735/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastered-release

Gaming

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Russell Brandom

Tim Cook talked with Trump and US tariff chief as China taxes loomed

As the tech industry braced for another round of China tariffs last summer, Tim Cook was making the case directly to the agency involved. On July 8th, the Apple CEO spoke directly with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as part of a broader effort to make the US’s china tariffs less damaging to Apple, according to emails obtained by The Verge through a Freedom of Information Act request. “Tim and POTUS had a discussion today about this as well which I can fill you in on,” an Apple staffer wrote on July 5th, after sending the specific tariff lines that affected parts of the Mac Pro. “Tim was hoping to speak to the Ambassador sometime this weekend if at all possible to follow up.” Emails show that US Trade Representative Lighthizer and Cook spoke directly a few days later. There’s no direct record of the call, but from the surrounding emails, it seems likely they discussed the pending tariff exclusion for various imported parts used in the US assembly of the Mac Pro. The bulk of those parts, which would have been subject to a 25 percent import tax, were ultimately exempted from the tariff. More importantly for Apple, a threatened 15 percent tariff that would have impacted both iPhones and MacBooks was never put in place. Cook and Lighthizer’s staff remained in contact in the wake of the meeting, with at least one subsequent call taking place at 4:30am on August 5th. Much of the exchange is redacted as sensitive business information, but it is likely that the business impact of the tariffs was discussed, with one Apple staffer telling a USTR employee, “whatever can be done on the front end would be hugely impactful.” Apple was making a public case against tariffs during this same period, submitting a number of official responses that highlighted the company’s contribution to the US economy. Cook also met extensively with President Trump to make the company’s case on tariffs during that period. That August, Cook had a private dinner with Trump, in which he argued that tariffs would make Apple less able to compete with foreign rivals. “Tim was talking to me about tariffs,” the president told reporters, “and one of the things, he made a good case, is that Samsung is their number one competitor and Samsung is not paying tariffs because they’re based in South Korea. And it’s tough for Apple to compete with a very good company that’s not.” The full details of Cook’s meetings with Trump have never been made public, and much of what we know comes from offhand disclosures by Trump himself. Cook has made several public appearances at the White House, but because the Trump White House has halted the publication of visitor records, it’s not known whether Cook visited the White House outside of those appearances. These emails are the first public indication of a call between Cook and President Trump on July 5th; we do not know how many other such calls took place. Cook has broadly defended his efforts to engage with the White House, including membership in various White House industry councils and a more recent press tour of the third-party factory in Texas that manufactures the Mac Pro. “My perspective is, engagement is always best,” Cook said in an interview with Fox Business in February. “Simply standing on the sidelines yelling doesn’t accomplish anything.” Apple declined to comment on the efforts. The US trade representative did not respond to a request for comment.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21200068/tim-cook-white-house-tariff-trump-lighthizer-lobby-apple-china

Apple

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Adi Robertson

The Internet Archive’s National Emergency Library offers 1.4 million free ebooks

Last week, the Internet Archive launched a “National Emergency Library” offering access to 1.4 million free books during the coronavirus pandemic. The library aims to serve people who can’t access a normal classroom or public library, and it’s open worldwide until June 30th or whenever the US ends its national emergency. But it’s raised questions about whether the Internet Archive’s trove of books is legal — and whether it hurts writers. The Emergency Library is an expansion of the Open Libraries initiative, where the Internet Archive worked with libraries to scan their books. For nearly a decade, it’s let people “check out” books through a waiting list, making them available in the same quantities as their hard-copy counterparts. As the libraries see it, it’s the digital equivalent of checking out a physical book from your local library branch, and publishers haven’t generally tried to shut it down. But the Emergency Library goes further, suspending the waitlists and making the books immediately accessible to everyone in response to the ongoing pandemic. “This is a response to the scores of inquiries from educators about the capacity of our lending system and the scale needed to meet classroom demands because of the closures,” writes Open Libraries director Chris Freeland. The changes have drawn condemnation from some writers. The Authors Guild said on Friday that it’s “appalled” by the National Emergency Library, accusing the Internet Archive of “acting as a piracy site” that “tramples on authors’ rights by giving away their books to the world.” A number of authors have joined the Guild in condemning the project, including Colson Whitehead and N.K. Jemisin. “They scan books illegally and put them online,” wrote Whitehead in response to a New Yorker article about the project. “It’s not a library.” The Internet Archive also hosts public domain ebooks that are available without restrictions, but the Emergency Library specializes in books that are still under copyright, including many popular novels. Current top-viewed listings include André Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. (Authors can contact the Internet Archive to request that their books be removed.) As Ars Technica details, the library raised big copyright questions even before the Emergency Library update. The normal Open Libraries project uses “controlled digital lending” or CDL, where a library scans a physical book and lets one person “check out” the copy at a time. Unlike the official ebook lending programs at many public libraries, it can offer obscure out-of-print books or “orphan works” with unclear ownership. “While readers and students are able to access latest bestsellers and popular titles through services like OverDrive and Hoopla, they don’t have access to the books that only exist in paper, sitting inaccessible on their library shelves,” writes Freeland. “That’s where our collection fits in.” Some courts have ruled that libraries can fairly scan books, although the most high-profile cases have involved “transformative” use of the scanned books, not just reproduction of them online. That includes an Authors Guild lawsuit against Google Books, which lets people search for limited words and phrases, and another case against HathiTrust, which offered scanned book access to people with print disabilities. “The idea that this is stealing fundamentally misunderstands the role of libraries in the information ecosystem,” wrote Freeland in a response to critics yesterday. But the Emergency Library isn’t relying on CDL legal doctrine, according to a frequently asked questions page. “This library is being mobilized in response to a global pandemic and US national emergency,” reads the page. “We believe this is an extraordinary moment in time that requires assistance at a scale that we are able to provide.” Effectively, it sounds like the Internet Archive and libraries have built a uniquely massive repository of books, and in a moment of crisis, they’re prioritizing accessibility over nailing down a legal argument. Ebook “lending” limits are an artificial barrier shaped by copyright law, and the pandemic has rendered lots of supposedly hard-and-fast limits suddenly flexible. Internet service providers, for example, can survive just fine without their long-cherished data caps. And after years of haggling over funds for vital services like healthcare and welfare, Congress approved a $2 trillion bailout in a matter of days. (How? By simply making the money printer go “brrr,” according to one popular meme.) But this system affects individual authors who had little input on the decision, not governments or shareholders. Readers are flocking to popular recent titles that libraries do stock as official ebooks — which help writers get paid, although they also let publishers place draconian limits on lending. While there’s copy protection on the Emergency Library’s books, the unlimited checkout system still works a lot like ebook piracy — even if the goals and methods are different. So the National Emergency Library raises a familiar set of tradeoffs. Some people (and libraries) can’t afford to buy ebooks, especially during the pandemic, and the Internet Archive is helping them access important resources. Some people might check out free copies of books they’d never buy, then become longtime fans of an author, creating a win-win situation for everyone. The Internet Archive encourages people to buy books if they can afford them. But anecdotally, authors complain that free online scans have damaged sales and sabotaged future publishing deals — and right now, the book world’s future looks particularly grim.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21200108/internet-archive-national-emergency-library-authors-guild-piracy-cdl

Web

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Bijan Stephen

Popular livestreaming software Streamlabs OBS is launching on Mac today

Streaming is bigger than ever now that staying inside is a requirement; you’ve probably noticed friends start posting links to their newly created Twitch and YouTube channels, and maybe thought to yourself hm, looks fun. If you’re a Mac user and you happen to be interested in livestreaming, I have some good news for you: Streamlabs OBS is launching today (in beta) on macOS. Streamlabs OBS is the beautifully-designed brother of OBS — which stands for Open Broadcaster Software — that was acquired by Logitech for a cool $89 million last September. The free-to-use software is basically a portal to streaming on any service that allows it; it has beautiful overlays and themes that you can use to beautify and customize your online space; and it is slightly easier to use than regular OBS. (It also has a paid tier, which is geared toward professional creators and comes with a ton more features.) This is a good thing! Previously if you wanted to stream on a Mac, your options were basically: puzzle out how to use OBS through forum dungeon crawling, or pay for something like Wirecast, which might be more software than you need for your personal Twitch channel. (To be fair: OBS isn’t terribly hard to figure out if you’re determined, but you have to be determined.) The fact that Streamlabs OBS now has a Mac version is important, if only because it’s a tacit acknowledgement that a ton of people who make things online just aren’t on Windows. There’s never been a better time to start streaming, so why don’t you give it a try? Correction: An earlier version of this story said that Streamlabs OBS was closed-source. It is, in fact, entirely open source. We regret the error.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21201043/streamlabs-obs-mac-streaming-twitch-mixer-facebook-youtube

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Chris Welch

Roku OS 9.3 adds faster performance, Spanish voice support, and more

Roku is today announcing the latest software update that’s coming soon to Roku streaming devices and Roku TVs. Roku OS 9.3 will expand the company’s voice command system to include Spanish language support. Spanish-speaking users can now use their voice to launch streaming apps, search for something to watch, or control media playback. In Canada, the UK, and Ireland, Roku Voice is also being improved to understand more natural speech and “new ways to find entertainment such as searching by a selection of popular movie quotes.” Additionally, Roku says its voice-initiated search results are getting more visual. “Roku voice search results will now be presented in a more visual, easy to browse display with categorized rows including relevant movies, shows, short-form entertainment and more for quick discovery of entertainment,” the company wrote in a press release, nothing that search results will continue to be “unbiased” with channels sorted by however you can get something cheapest. And a few streaming channels now support “playback from search,” meaning they’ll start playing your requested content right away instead of first displaying search results. Roku tells me that these apps “include Acorn, HBO Now, Showtime and more.” But with no mention of Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+, I’m assuming those ones still have that middle step and require you to manually select a search result. The Roku software should also get a bit speedier and more responsive with this latest update. The company promises “a reduction in device boot times, faster launch times for a select number of channels, a more responsive home screen and faster navigation when using features such as Featured Free.” Roku OS 9.3 will first come to the company’s streaming devices next month and then make its way to Roku TVs “in phases over the coming months.” Last month, Roku reported 36.9 million total active users.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21200918/roku-os-9-3-update-spanish-voice-faster-performance

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Natt Garun

The Fitbit Charge 4 is a more powerful fitness tracker hidden in its old body

The first Fitbit after Google announced it intends to buy the company last fall looks... well, like every other Fitbit that came before it. And it’s apparently intentional, as the company wants to expand on one of its most popular fitness trackers that’s long due for an update. The Fitbit Charge 4 is pretty much exactly as the leaks ahead of its official announcement teased: it’s essentially the look and feel of the Charge 3 with built-in GPS, Spotify control, and other high-end features typically found on Fitbit’s smartwatches like Fitbit Pay, app notifications, smart wake, and an SpO2 sensor. The $149 tracker has a battery life of up to seven days, or up to five hours with continuous GPS use. With built-in GPS, Fitbit wearers no longer have to take their phones out on a bike ride, hike, or run to record their heart rate, distance, and speed. Workout information will automatically be recorded to the app, making it useful if you run similar routes often and want to check if your pace is getting faster. It’s a sorely missed sensor that even Fitbit’s Versa smartwatches don’t have. All of these features now come standard with the Charge 4 instead of having to splurge for a special edition. (True to form, Fitbit is releasing a Charge 4 SE, but the extra $20 basically buys you a reflective band for night commutes in addition to a classic black band.) Since the Charge 4 has the same dimensions as the Charge 3, you can use bands from the previous model on the new tracker. The Charge 4 also debuts with a new fitness metric called Active Zone Minutes, which automatically recognizes when your heart rate is at a sustained, heightened level and counts the minutes you are “active.” Fitbit says this is to promote people to be active for at least 30 minutes a day — something that’s getting admittedly harder to achieve given the mass self-quarantine and social distancing measures across the US right now. Since Active Zone Minutes is based on heart rate, the score is calculated by factoring each person’s height, weight, and fitness levels. The feature follows a series of other Fitbit metrics like sleep score and 10,000 daily steps, which the company uses as basic guidelines for encouraging wellness. With today’s launch, Fitbit will no longer sell the Charge 3 on its website, though it will be available for purchase through other retailers. Given that Fitbit is not selling Charge 3s anymore, prices will likely fluctuate among different vendors. If built-in GPS, Fitbit Pay, and music control is not a big deal to you, now is a good time to snag its older tracker on a steep discount. The Charge 4 goes on sale today for $149 and is available in mauve, blue, and black. It’ll also come with an extended 90-day trial of Fitbit Premium, which offers fitness programs, classes, and personalized challenges to help you set and reach your wellness goals. Fitbit Charge 4 Update March 31st, 2020 9:30 AM ET: An earlier version of this story said Fitbit had been acquired by Google. Google announced it intends to buy Fitbit in November 2019, but as of March 2020, the acquisition has not yet been completed. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21199567/fitbit-charge-4-tracker-gps-nfc-spotify-sp02-announcement-price

Tech

The Verge

2020-03-31 00:00:00

2020

3.0

31

Makena Kelly

Self-isolation has stressed networks, and no one knows if the FCC can step in

As the social distancing efforts push everything from school to socializing into video chat, networks have seen huge surges in traffic — and new anxieties over how digital networks will stand up under the strain. So far, both carriers and the Federal Communications Commission insist that the country’s networks are capable of bearing the strain, particularly given the voluntary throttling instituted by many of the most bandwidth-heavy services. But recent deregulatory efforts have left the FCC with ambiguous authority over those networks, making it uncertain whether the commission will be able to intervene if federal action is needed. In a call with reporters Monday, senior FCC officials were optimistic about how the nation’s networks were holding up, saying carriers were mitigating the network stress effectively. “America’s Internet infrastructure is strong and resilient,” Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr wrote in a blog post last week. “The data show that the recent surges in Internet traffic are well within the capacity of U.S. networks.” Over the last few weeks, telecommunications companies like AT&T and Comcast have reported dramatic increases in usage. AT&T’s core traffic was up 21 percent month over month, and Comcast said Monday that voice and video calls have skyrocketed 212 percent amid the pandemic. Together with that surge, a number of video streaming services have volunteered to limit their bandwidth consumption. Just over the last few days, YouTube, Netflix, and Facebook have reduced their streaming qualities across the globe to help mitigate network congestion, with YouTube limiting videos videos to standard definition (480p) by default in the US and Europe. So far, that entire traffic surge has voluntary basis by both networks and services. Still, Carr noted that “we may not have seen peak, post-coronavirus demand yet.” If networks start to feel that stress, it’s not clear how much authority the FCC has to respond. The confusion around authority is due in part to the FCC’s net neutrality reversal in 2017. That year. the FCC officially voted to rollback net neutrality rules, paving the way for large telecommunications carriers like AT&T and Verizon to block and throttle internet traffic and offer fast lanes for certain sites and services for an additional fee. In doing so, the Commission had to remove broadband’s Title II designation, stripping the agency of much of its authority over the internet as a utility. According to Carr, the Ajit Pai FCC has “created a regulatory environment that enabled Internet providers to invest heavily in their networks” in ways that have kept them reliable throughout the crisis. “Without Title II authority, all they really do is ask and engage in public-private partnerships,” Chris Lewis, the president and CEO of Public Knowledge told The Verge. But if usage continues to grow, declassifying broadband as a regulated utility could make it more difficult for the FCC to identify weak points in networks and ensure carriers services live up to what they advertise. “We would expect that if [the FCC] had Title II authority, they could require a level of data collection around the functioning of the network that would provide lessons learned about how networks are being strained during this emergency,” Lewis said. In a call with reporters Monday, an FCC official said that the agency was encouraging public reporting on network management data, but had no plans to conduct those reports themselves. The FCC has faced criticism over its limited data collection efforts before. Just this month, Congress approved a new bill aimed at making the agency’s broadband coverage maps more accurate. In order to craft its maps, the FCC receives data prepared by the carriers that have often depicted exaggerated coverage in areas that don’t receive service. Much of the action carriers have taken in light of the coronavirus pandemic has been voluntary. Responding to the crisis, the Federal Communications Commission announced its Keep Americans Connected Initiative earlier this month. Major carriers like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon have all signed on to this voluntary measure, pledging to waive late fees, open up their Wi-Fi hotspots, and refuse to terminate service for customers and small businesses unable to pay their bills as a result of the pandemic. “I am confident that we will emerge from this as a stronger and more prosperous nation than ever before,” Carr wrote Friday. “It will take time. In the meanwhile, our Internet infrastructure will play a key role in this country’s comeback.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/31/21200992/fcc-coronavirus-net-neutrality-networks-att-comcast-carriers

Policy

The Verge